Meghan Markle Reflects on Leaving Hollywood for Royal Life
Meghan Markle recently shared her thoughts on leaving her acting career behind for her royal duties. The Duchess of Sussex, now 43, made her debut in a 2002 episode of “General Hospital” and gained fame from her role in the popular legal drama “Suits.” She and Prince Harry moved to Canada and later settled in Montecito, California.
During an appearance on the “Aspire With Emma Grede” podcast, Markle was asked if she sometimes longs for her past career. “Sometimes, sometimes,” she admitted, hinting at a bittersweet feeling about the decision.
However, she noted that working on her Netflix lifestyle show, “Love, Meghan,” has helped fill the gap left by acting. The show debuted in March and is set to return for a second season this fall. “In fact,” she said, “it was great to have a large team and come back to the set.” She spoke fondly of the camaraderie with the crew, adding that being in that environment felt rewarding.
Markle joined “Suits” in 2011 as paralegal Rachel Zane and quickly became a beloved character until stepping away from the show in 2017, right after her engagement to Prince Harry. She reflected on how her departure was tricky; “I couldn’t say goodbye,” she recalled. “We couldn’t have a party to leave.” Following their engagement, her exit from the series was confirmed, though she made a final appearance in the show’s seventh season finale.
Markle expressed how much she misses her “Suits” colleagues, emphasizing the strong bonds formed over seven years. “We’ve been working with people for seven years,” she said, acknowledging how difficult it was to part ways without proper closure. Transitioning from scripted shows to her own series was a significant change, but she appreciates the entrepreneurial journey she’s on now, building her own business.
In her conversation with Grede, Markle also touched upon her early struggles in the acting industry, which were compounded by her mixed heritage. With a white father and a black mother, she pointed out the lack of roles for mixed-race actors during her auditioning days. “At that point, there certainly wasn’t a lot of mixed-race parts,” she explained, recalling the challenges of fitting into the industry’s archetypes, often favoring a specific look.
Markle went on to describe how rejection affected her self-esteem. “I went through the self-doubt chapter as an audition actor and beyond,” she shared. As a mother now, she focuses on modeling authenticity and positivity for her children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lillibet, 3, emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself.
Markle concluded her reflections by highlighting the lessons she’s learned through her experiences, both in acting and as a royal, which she hopes to pass on to her children. Balancing personal growth and public life, she recognizes the value of authentic relationships and the importance of kindness in all interactions.
