Intimate snaps from Meghan Markle’s photo album have given an insight into what life was like for her growing up in California.
The pictures suggest Prince Harry’s fiancée, now 36, dreamed of becoming a princess from an early age, wearing a blue fairytale dress at a fancy dress party.
The candid photographs also show the former actress looking relaxed at school with friends.
One playful snap shows Meghan covering her eyes while sitting on the floor at school with pals, while another shows her on stage – demonstrating how her acting ambitions also developed early on.
The new photos come after other remarkable snaps showed a teenage Meghan posing outside Buckingham Palace at the age of 15 with friend Ninaki Priddy.
Here, FEMAIL takes a look at the pictures that show how a happy-go-lucky Meghan grew up to be a princess…
Meghan dressed up as a princess while at a fancy dress party with friends as a child
The candid photos show Meghan (left, with a pal) looking relaxed while at school in California
Meghan posing with friends at Class of 1993 party, when she would have been around 12
The royal bride-to-be is seen beaming widely as she poses with a friend while on a theme park train ride
A playful Meghan is seen covering her eyes while pictured at school with friends
A young Meghan was not the one wearing the crown in this childhood snap taken at a friend’s birthday party
Meghan is seen proudly riding a pony in this sweet photograph while dressed in double denim
The Suits star’s acting ambitions were evident from a young age, as shown by this picture of Meghan (far left) on stage
A fresh-faced Meghan (centre, back) is pictured while on a group trip with friends
Meghan’s simple outfit consisting of a green T-shirt with shorts is far from the glamorous ensembles she is often seen in now
A smiling Meghan is seen enjoying a milkshake while out with friends as a teenager
An older-looking Meghan is pictured wearing a fitted red dress while posing with friends
Meghan (far right, with friends) appears to be wearing a Bindi in this group shot
A remarkable picture shows a 15-year-old Meghan (pictured with friend Ninaki Priddy, centre) posing outside Buckingham Palace
Another holiday snap shows Meghan visiting the Louvre in Paris when she was younger
Meghan is pictured here with her mother Doria on her graduation day at Northwestern University in Illinois
Meghan, wearing a black slip dress, is seen showing off her dance moves while at a party
The former actress is also seen showing off her style in this floral dress while out for dinner
Meghan’s close circle of friends was clearly very important to her while growing up
Several snaps show Meghan (far right) enjoying group trips with her female friends
Meghan was pictured in a yellow bikini with mother Doria (far right) in Jamaica, before marrying ex-husband Trevor Engelson