Meghan Markle: Family and Background - November 2017-May 2018

[soapstar]

Originally Posted by Countessmeout

Traveling is not uncommon, even for people from more modest backgrounds. I am the same age as Meghan, and when I was in high school, there was always school trips during spring break that you could take. They were affordable compared to most travel (student discounts). I never did, but I know my cousin did. She raised the money doing her after school jobs. My sister who is a teacher has actually gone as the teacher chaperone on a few.

Reading this article and previous you really get a sense she had a balanced life. Though she was raised with money, and on sets of tv shows with dad, there was more to life. She talked about volunteering in soup kitchens and such as well. Its great her parents gave her a sense of work ethic and the value of money even when they had their own.

Working minimum wage in high school is a bit of a right of passage. While many teens do it, many teens would not have a glowing review for doing it. Their other 'obligations' and I don't mean school and studying (dating, clubs, activities) often take priority in their minds. Nice to see she is remembered fondly.

It seems from an early age she was good with working with others. And with connecting with the public. Both in high school and college. This speaks well to her future in the royal family.

But indeed soapstar, she isn't the only member of the family who has worked less then white collar jobs to support themselves. Maybe not minimum wage fast food for some, but certainly not glamorous or 'royal' careers.

-Autumn was a bar tender and a promotional model to pay for college, and she did some bit acting as well
-Mike only made 10,000 a year when he first started playing professional, and to cover the bills he worked in a food truck selling fish and chips
-Sophie trained as a secretary before she got into public relations and waitressing
-Gary Lewis is a construction worker
-Camilla worked as a secretary in her day, and receptionist

The extended royal family of course lives very private lives, and have careers. The heirs of Kent and Gloucester are married to a doctor and to a college professor. There is quite a broad range of people for her to meet at Christmas parties, and I am sure she will find some to hit it off with. I am sure she will get along with the family, but even in the closest families, there are those you hit it off with better then some, those you gravitate to talking to.

The Earl of St Andrews is a former diplomat. Sophie Winkleman is an actress like Meghan. I am sure she will find things in common with others.

Good post. And I didn't know that Camilla worked as a receptionist.

[Cocoasneeze]

All what I've seen posted about here cements 2 things about her, to me.

She's always worked to support herself. Even from young age she's earned her own pocket money. She's also very good at jobs, that require interacting with people.

And she's always looked for ways to help others, and to make an impact, be it from stepping up to bullies, or organising other girls to get prom dresses, or giving her own hand warmers to someone with cold hands.

These are big part of her personality, and will serve her well in her role in the RF.

[ACO]

Originally Posted by Curryong

This girl is a worker! Meghan worked after school and at weekends at a fast food and frozen yoghurt store in her mid teens. Apart from staff at KP few would have that kind of work experience.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal...gement-wedding

I just came across this video and she talks about working in the yogurt shop and a bunch of other things that kind of cracked me up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jhOrIw-H5Y

[ZaJa]

This might have been asked before so sorry for the repeat... is Meghan's legal name Rachel or did she never change it legally? I ask bc I would have assumed they would have mentioned her full name in the engagement announcement if it were the case. Harry's real name Henry was mentioned. Maybe that would have been way too many official and unofficial names in one announcement LOL

[Alliec76]

Originally Posted by ZaJa

This might have been asked before so sorry for the repeat... is Meghan's legal name Rachel or did she never change it legally? I ask bc I would have assumed they would have mentioned her full name in the engagement announcement if it were the case. Harry's real name Henry was mentioned. Maybe that would have been way too many official and unofficial names in one announcement LOL

My understanding is her full legal name is Rachel Meghan Markle. However she has always gone by Meghan and that is how she registered as an actress, Meghan Markle. So I don't think anything was ever changed. I could be wrong though. I think it's a little different with Henry/Harry, as Harry is a nickname. Meghan is her actual name, but it's just her middle name. It seems to be they've decided to continue using her professional name from here on out.

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by Alliec76

My understanding is her full legal name is Rachel Meghan Markle. However she has always gone by Meghan and that is how she registered as an actress, Meghan Markle. So I don't think anything was ever changed. I could be wrong though. I think it's a little different with Henry/Harry, as Harry is a nickname. Meghan is her actual name, but it's just her middle name. It seems to be they've decided to continue using her professional name from here on out.

You are absolutely correct. Except Meghan isn’t just a professional name. It’s what she’s always known by. She has never gone by her given first name of Rachel except on official documents.

[Somebody]

And even in those (official) cases she went by 'Rachel Meghan Markle'. I don't think she ever presented herself as 'Rachel Markle'.

As stressed before, in some cultures it is rather common to use your second name in daily life. Many of my Peruvian friends go by their middle name (many times officials will even use your middle name when calling you) and only for some of them I know their formal first name.

In the Dutch royal family both daughters of the late prince Friso and princess Mabel go by their second name. I hope nobody is arguing that they should be called Emma and Joanna instead of Luana and Zaria (which is what their parents decided).

[Curbside]

"Meghan Markle" is more alliterative and memorable than "Rachel Markle."

My son decided in fourth grade that he would start using his middle name as his first name. The name my ex and I originally included only to appease my mother, suddenly became his principal name. This is pretty common in the US, particularly in the South.

[Ish]

Originally Posted by Somebody

And even in those (official) cases she went by 'Rachel Meghan Markle'. I don't think she ever presented herself as 'Rachel Markle'.

As stressed before, in some cultures it is rather common to use your second name in daily life. Many of my Peruvian friends go by their middle name (many times officials will even use your middle name when calling you) and only for some of them I know their formal first name.

In the Dutch royal family both daughters of the late prince Friso and princess Mabel go by their second name. I hope nobody is arguing that they should be called Emma and Joanna instead of Luana and Zaria (which is what their parents decided).

Even in cultures where it’s not common, it still happens on occasion. Look at the BRF itself; Queen Victoria, Albert Victor, Queen Mary, Edward VIII, and Mary, Princess Royal all went by names other than their first name.

[ACO]

Meghan has been going by her middle name her entire life. I don't see that changing. On the wedding day we will hear "Rachel Meghan" but that will be it. KP announced her as Meghan so that is how she will be addressed.

[Denville]

Originally Posted by Ish

Even in cultures where it’s not common, it still happens on occasion. Look at the BRF itself; Queen Victoria, Albert Victor, Queen Mary, Edward VIII, and Mary, Princess Royal all went by names other than their first name.

It also used to be quite common in Ireland. I imagine that she'll be called "Rachel Meg" in the marriage service, but otherwise seh' will drop the first name.
actually when I got married, as I usually used my second name, the clergyman said that he would just use our 2 names that we were usually called by....

[ACO]

Interesting video of Meghan speaking out on racism from 2012.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmEnNAy80ak

[Rudolph]

Grilling Never Looked So Hot with Meghan Markle This is a video she did for men’s Heath. May have to turn add blockers off.

https://www.menshealth.com/video/gri...-meghan-markle

[LadyGlendower]

And just want to jump in here on the Rachel/Meghan discussion. I have always gone by my middle name in my personal life but chose to use my given first name in the workplace. This confused some people so I just started telling them my middle name was my "bar name". And that always seemed to settle it!

Can't wait for Christmas pics of these two.

[MaiaMia_53]

Originally Posted by Rudolph

Grilling Never Looked So Hot with Meghan Markle This is a video she did for men’s Heath. May have to turn add blockers off.

https://www.menshealth.com/video/gri...-meghan-markle

It must have been a hot day; it's certainly a sizzling hot shoot!

Yum, the burger looks so delicious. Knowing Meghan's focus on eating healthy, surely she was grilling turkey burgers.

The above video promo is most likely dated circa late 2013 or early 2014, based on the fact that there's another related video done for Men's Health at the same time in which Meghan discusses her Suits character Rachel's sexy scene in the file room with the Mike character at the end of season 3:

https://www.menshealth.com/video/meg...office-romance

So as it turns out, Meghan was grilling beef burgers (this is for a 'men's' magazine after all ), but as she said, 'the best cuts.' It all sounds so delicious. Meghan is sexy and I don't see anything wrong with any of the promos. It was definitely part of her promoting her character on Suits and taking advantage of an opportunity to begin building her own brand. In 2014, Meghan segued into developing The Tig lifestyle site, which was very professional, classy and upscale. FWIW, she's done a lot of sexy modeling shoots, including for Reitmans, Wella haircare products, other magazines (including another men's magazine, Sharp) etc. A lot of Meghan's previous side work with modeling and promotion is posted on Youtube.

And there are loads of fashion gallery pictures. Meghan is a very fashion savvy, photogenic, and stylish young lady. What I am most impressed by are Meghan's smarts, her business sense, her hard work ethic, and the fact she's fearlessly feminine, sexy as well as an outspoken advocate for feminism. She said in the Larry King interview that "being feminine and a feminist can coexist."

So what that Meghan did a sexy promo for Men's Health circa 2013-2014. She was on an independent career woman trajectory and she had no idea she would ever meet, fall in love with and marry the most high profile prince in the world which would bring such OTT attention to everything she's ever done. At the same time, she definitely has nothing to be ashamed of ever having done to build her career, and nothing to regret. She's sexy and edgy with class, IMO. Hot tamales, Prince Harry is a lucky fella.

Interestingly enough, Meghan herself has never felt like she's hot stuff. She's appreciative of her success, and she takes pride in what she's accomplished and in who she is, but she doesn't have any pretensions. Her feet are firmly planted on the ground. Around 2014 or so during an interview with Sharp magazine, Meghan was quoted as saying:

"In middle school and high school, there was this huge span of my life where I was just the girl with the crazy curly hair, a big gap between my teeth, with skinny legs."

[MaiaMia_53]

Originally Posted by ACO

Meghan has been going by her middle name her entire life. I don't see that changing. On the wedding day we will hear "Rachel Meghan" but that will be it. KP announced her as Meghan so that is how she will be addressed.

I believe it's been indicated by Meghan herself that her first name Rachel was used for a time when she was a child in school. I'm not sure when she began using Meghan only, possibly in high school. She was called Meghan by her parents, I think. Although Meghan's mother Doria has always affectionately addressed her as 'Flower.'

It happens sometimes that a child's first name is used in school, while they're called by a middle name or a nickname at home. I have a nephew who doesn't generally use his first name, as he was always called by his middle name among family and friends. However, his first name was used in school.

Meanwhile, I've been meaning to post here in reference to comments by @Zonk in another thread about Meghan's mother's family being from the South. Actually Meghan's mother Doria was born in Cleveland, OH (but as Meghan indicates in the video linked above by @ACO) her mother's family moved to L.A. shortly after her mother's birth. So Doria grew up in L.A., and she eventually attended a desegregated high school.

Doria's mother, Jeanette Arnold Johnson Ragland was born in Cleveland. And Jeanette's mother, Netty, (Meghan's great-grandmother) also grew up in Cleveland, although sources have not provided much information about Netty's family background. It's possible that Netty or her parents migrated to Ohio from the South. The information and photos sold to The Daily Mail by Meghan's uncle Joseph Johnson do not provide a maiden name for Netty, nor any detailed information. It is noted that Netty worked as a lift operator in a hotel and she married a bellboy named James Arnold, later giving birth to Jeanette. Meghan's grandmother Jeanette was married twice. Alvin Ragland, Jeanette's second husband, is the father of Doria. Interestingly, similar to Meghan, Doria has two older half siblings, although they are not as distant in age to her as are Meghan's two older half siblings.

In their initial 'genealogy' reporting, The Daily Fail reported inaccurately that Alvin Ragland's second wife, Ava Burrow, is Meghan's grandmother. That's not true. More information continues to be revealed. According to a 11/27/17 report in The Times (UK), Alvin and Ava had a child together who is about two years younger than Meghan, and thus is another uncle (Doria's younger half brother). His name is Alvin Joffrey Ragland, and he's a graphic designer, who is said to be close to Doria and Meghan, so perhaps he will be invited to the wedding.

Here's an interesting clip of Meghan advocating for diversity and for inclusiveness for women. This is the kind of outspokenness that she will seemingly be limited in expressing as a member of the British royal family:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McV1GT6RTzA

[ACO]

In the video of her as an 11 year old fighting for a commercial she was labeled as "Meghan Markle" so I think she has been called that all her life. He legal name is Rachel so likely that was just there officially and was used in that sense. My cousin goes by "Maggie" and has all her life but her name is Evelyn Margaret which confuses everyone who meets her. Haha. Despite that KP announced her as Meghan so that will be what they acknowledge her as.

Thanks for the video. It is always interesting going back and listening to her views. It is hard for Meghan because despite the fact she will not speak out like this as a royal and will remain neutral, her opinions are known and out on record. That is the difference between her and the rest already.

[jacqui24]

Meghan has always used Meghan rather than Rachel. Jadon Knauf confirmed this when asked. The only time we’ve seen Rachel used is in some old school year books. But I know a lot of schools use the official name on roster regardless of what one goes by whereas some schools allow preferred name.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by MaiaMia_53

I believe it's been indicated by Meghan herself that her first name Rachel was used for a time when she was a child in school. I'm not sure when she began using Meghan only, possibly in high school. She was called Meghan by her parents, I think. Although Meghan's mother Doria has always affectionately addressed her as 'Flower.'

It happens sometimes that a child's first name is used in school, while they're called by a middle name or a nickname at home. I have a nephew who doesn't generally use his first name, as he was always called by his middle name among family and friends. However, his first name was used in school.

Do you have a reference for Meghan saying that she went by Rachel at school (as in that she was called Rachel by her teachers and classmates)? Would be interested to see/read it as that would change the narrative that she always was called Meghan. Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by ACO

In the video of her as an 11 year old fighting for a commercial she was labeled as "Meghan Markle" so I think she has been called that all her life. He legal name is Rachel so likely that was just there officially and was used in that sense. My cousin goes by "Maggie" and has all her life but her name is Evelyn Margaret which confuses everyone who meets her. Haha. Despite that KP announced her as Meghan so that will be what they acknowledge her as.

Her legal name has always been Rachel Meghan (Markle - as it seems like she didn't change her surname upon marriage)

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by Somebody

Her legal name has always been Rachel Meghan (Markle - as it seems like she didn't change her surname upon marriage)

This is so insignificant, but she did change her last to Engelson upon marriage. She had to ask the judge to restore her maiden name as part of her divorce proceedings based on the paper work we saw.