The Exact Age Meghan Markle Was When She Married Prince Harry: 5 Surprising Facts About Her Pre-Royal Life

The question of "how old was Meghan when she married Harry" is more than just a simple number; it represents a significant shift in royal tradition, bringing a mature, established American woman into the heart of the British Monarchy. On their wedding day, May 19, 2018, Meghan Markle was 36 years old, making her three years older than her husband, Prince Harry, who was 33. This age dynamic was a notable deviation from previous royal marriages and highlighted the Duchess of Sussex’s independent, pre-royal career and life experience.

As of December 2025, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary, marking a major milestone since their spectacular ceremony at St. George's Chapel. The Duchess's age at the time of her marriage—36—is a key detail that speaks to her journey from a successful Hollywood actress to a global philanthropist and member of the royal family, a narrative that continues to evolve today.

The Complete Biography and Profile of Rachel Meghan Markle

Before becoming the Duchess of Sussex, Rachel Meghan Markle lived a full and accomplished life, establishing a successful career and navigating a previous marriage. Understanding her profile provides essential context for her royal entry at the age of 36.

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• Full Name: Rachel Meghan Markle
• Date of Birth: August 4, 1981
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, USA
• Parents: Thomas Markle (father) and Doria Ragland (mother)
• Education: Graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Theatre and International Relations.
• Career Before Royalty: Actress, humanitarian, and lifestyle blogger.
• Most Famous Role: Rachel Zane on the legal drama series Suits (2011–2018).
• First Marriage: Married film producer Trevor Engelson in 2011 (when she was 30). They divorced in 2013.
• Royal Title: Duchess of Sussex, Countess of Dumbarton, and Baroness Kilkeel.
• Current Residence: Montecito, California.

The Exact Calculation: Meghan's Age on Her Wedding Day

The marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Meghan Markle’s birth date is August 4, 1981. On the wedding day:

• From August 4, 1981, to August 4, 2017, she completed 36 years.
• From August 4, 2017, to May 19, 2018, she was still 36, just three months shy of her 37th birthday.

This calculation confirms that Meghan Markle was 36 years old when she became the Duchess of Sussex. In contrast, Prince Harry, born on September 15, 1984, was 33 years old, making Meghan three years his senior. This age difference, with the bride being older than the groom, was a detail that garnered significant media attention at the time, underscoring the modernity of their union within the traditional royal context.

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The Significance of the 36-Year-Old Royal Bride

Meghan's age was often highlighted in the press for several reasons. She was considered an older royal bride, especially when compared to her sister-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales, who married Prince William at the age of 29. The focus on Meghan's age at 36 was tied to both her established independence and the intense speculation about starting a family immediately after the wedding.

Commentary at the time suggested that the couple, particularly Prince Harry, felt a "rush" to marry due to concerns about Meghan's "biological clock" and the desire to have children sooner rather than later. This intense public scrutiny is a core part of the narrative surrounding their marriage and subsequent decision to step back from royal duties.

5 Surprising Facts About Meghan’s Life Before Meeting Harry

Meghan Markle’s journey to Windsor Castle was unique among royal spouses, marked by a decade-long career and a previous marriage. Her pre-royal life is rich with entities and experiences that shaped the woman who would eventually marry into the House of Windsor.

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1. She Was Already a Successful, Established Actress

Before her royal engagement, Meghan was best known for her role as Rachel Zane on the hit USA Network show Suits. She had appeared in over 100 episodes of the show, which was filmed in Toronto, Canada. Her acting career also included roles in films like Remember Me and Horrible Bosses, giving her considerable financial and professional independence before meeting Prince Harry.

2. She Was a Humanitarian and Global Advocate

Long before her royal patronage, Meghan was a passionate humanitarian. She served as a Global Ambassador for World Vision Canada, traveling to Rwanda to advocate for clean water initiatives. She also worked with UN Women as an Advocate for Political Participation and Leadership. This commitment to philanthropy was a major factor in her connection with Prince Harry, who shared similar charitable interests.

3. She Ran a Successful Lifestyle Blog

From 2014 to 2017, Meghan ran a popular lifestyle blog called The Tig. The blog covered everything from food, travel, fashion, and beauty, and featured interviews with influential figures. The name was inspired by a red wine, Tignanello, which she affectionately nicknamed "Tig." She shut down the blog shortly before her engagement to focus on her royal responsibilities, but her recent return to a lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, echoes this earlier entrepreneurial venture.

4. She Was Married and Divorced by Age 32

Meghan’s 2018 wedding to Prince Harry was her second marriage. She married film producer Trevor Engelson in 2011 in a beach ceremony in Jamaica when she was 30 years old. They had dated since 2004. The marriage ended in divorce in 2013. This fact made her entry into the royal family even more groundbreaking, as it was highly unusual for a divorcee to marry a senior member of the British Royal Family, a path last taken by King Charles III.

5. She is the First American to Marry a British Prince in Decades

Meghan is not only American but also biracial—her mother, Doria Ragland, is African-American, and her father, Thomas Markle, is white. Her background made her the first American to marry a British prince since Wallis Simpson, whose marriage to King Edward VIII led to his abdication in 1936. Unlike Simpson, Meghan’s entry into the family was celebrated as a symbol of modernity and diversity, though the pressures of her unique background ultimately contributed to the couple’s decision to leave the UK.