Photo album documents Meghan Markle’s life

From intimate family pictures to the engagement photo call with her new royal fiance, this dazzling photo album documents the extraordinary life of Meghan Markle.

It shows how a young girl born and raised in Los Angeles grew up to become the princess of Hollywood, landing supporting roles on the small screen before finally getting her big break in legal drama suits.

Candid snaps taken by Miss Markle, 36, herself and shared on social media reveal a jet-set lifestyle and a passion for food, beauty, travel — and a love of exercise. 

The making of a very modern royal: Meghan Markle (pictured left) with Prince Harry at a  Wheelchair Tennis Match in Canada

Then there are the photographs that chronicle her relationship with Prince Harry, 33, as the pair embarked on what seemed like an unlikely royal romance.

Over the past 16 months, the couple have criss-crossed the globe as they got to know each other, first in the privacy of their homes – hers in Toronto and Los Angeles, his in Britain – and then in front of the world’s watching eyes as they went public with their love. 

It was then it was clear that this was something special.

On Monday the pair announced their engagements and will soon start planning their wedding, which will take place next spring. But first, a look back at the photos that tell the story of the remarkable Miss Markle…   

HER FAMILY ALBUM 

Carefree: An infant Meghan with dad Thomas. He was a TV lighting director in Los Angeles when he fell for Doria, a make-up artist 12 years his junior

Carefree: An infant Meghan with dad Thomas. He was a TV lighting director in Los Angeles when he fell for Doria, a make-up artist 12 years his junior

Pictured, Doria with Meghan as a child

Pictured, Thomas with Meghan as a child

Family life: Thomas and Doria (pictured left) married in 1979 and Meghan was born in 1981. But it was Thomas’ second marriage and he already had two children, Thomas Jr and Samantha

All about the girl: Meghan at home in LA. Her father’s TV success paid for her to go to a prep school whose alumnae included Liz Taylor and Judy Garland and the private Immaculate Heart, an all-girls’ Catholic college

All about the girl: Meghan at home in LA. Her father’s TV success paid for her to go to a prep school whose alumnae included Liz Taylor and Judy Garland and the private Immaculate Heart, an all-girls’ Catholic college

Starry eyed: Meghan aged 12 at home in LA. Growing up, she often visited dad Thomas on the set of hit TV sitcom Married... With Children. He also won an Emmy for his work on long-running soap General Hospital

Starry eyed: Meghan aged 12 at home in LA. Growing up, she often visited dad Thomas on the set of hit TV sitcom Married… With Children. He also won an Emmy for his work on long-running soap General Hospital

Close: Meghan’s parents divorced when she was just six, but she says she was equally loved by them both. Here, aged 11, she poses with nephews Thomas (left) and Tyler, her dad and the boys’ mum Tracey, then wed to Meghan’s half-brother Thomas

Close: Meghan’s parents divorced when she was just six, but she says she was equally loved by them both. Here, aged 11, she poses with nephews Thomas (left) and Tyler, her dad and the boys’ mum Tracey, then wed to Meghan’s half-brother Thomas

Tiara time: Meghan aged 17 with her high school prom date in 1998, when she was crowned the ‘homecoming queen’

Growing up: Although the world now knows her as Meghan, her first name is actually Rachel. Here, she’s with a school pal

Growing up: Although the world now knows her as Meghan, her first name is actually Rachel. Here she is pictured left at her high school prom in 1998 aged 17 and pictured right with a school friend

Charismatic: Meghan with a friend. She began campaigning as a youngster, even writing to Hillary Clinton to complain about a sexist washing-up TV advert

Charismatic: Meghan with a friend. She began campaigning as a youngster, even writing to Hillary Clinton to complain about a sexist washing-up TV advert

Daughter’s pride: When Doria earned her Master’s degree in social work, Meghan was there to help celebrate. She says her mum is ‘her inspiration’, while Doria’s nicknamed Meghan ‘Flower’. Meghan is proudly mixed race — her dad is of Dutch-Irish descent, while Doria is African-American — and that she wants ‘to voice my pride in being a strong, confident mixed-race woman.’

Daughter’s pride: When Doria earned her Master’s degree in social work, Meghan was there to help celebrate. She says her mum is ‘her inspiration’, while Doria’s nicknamed Meghan ‘Flower’. Meghan is proudly mixed race — her dad is of Dutch-Irish descent, while Doria is African-American — and that she wants ‘to voice my pride in being a strong, confident mixed-race woman.’

Supportive: After school, Meghan headed to Northwestern university near Chicago, graduating in theatre and international relations

Supportive: After school, Meghan headed to Northwestern university near Chicago, graduating in theatre and international relations

Taking a stand: Aged 11, Meghan wears a white ribbon to oppose gender-based violence. Campaigning is her passion — she is now an ambassador for children’s charity World Vision Canada

Taking a stand: Aged 11, Meghan wears a white ribbon to oppose gender-based violence. Campaigning is her passion — she is now an ambassador for children’s charity World Vision Canada

On stage: Meghan’s desire to be an actress developed early. Here, she appears in the chorus line for a school play (far right)

On stage: Meghan’s desire to be an actress developed early. Here, she appears in the chorus line for a school play (far right)

Have a hug: Meghan with friends in LA. Those who knew her at the time describe a young woman who was kind, loyal, funny, clever, and compassionate

Have a hug: Meghan with friends in LA. Those who knew her at the time describe a young woman who was kind, loyal, funny, clever, and compassionate

HER OWN CANDID SNAPS 

Sunny life: Meghan’s acting career took in 2011 when she was cast as Rachel Zane in U.S. legal drama Suits

Sunny life: Meghan’s acting career took in 2011 when she was cast as Rachel Zane in U.S. legal drama Suits

Ugg boots and orange juice: Meghan snaps a leggy selfie in her dining room mirror in Toronto 

Ugg boots and orange juice: Meghan snaps a leggy selfie in her dining room mirror in Toronto 

Wish you were here: Meghan has documented her travels around the world. Here she flashes those pins in Positano on Italy’s Amalfi coast

Wish you were here: Meghan has documented her travels around the world. Here she flashes those pins in Positano on Italy’s Amalfi coast

Pool perfection: As her profile rose, so did her love of social media. Here psoses for a snap while on a break in Mexico

Pool perfection: As her profile rose, so did her love of social media. Here psoses for a snap while on a break in Mexico

Internet star: Revealing a sultry side Meghan posed in a navy two-piece for  another online snap

Internet star: Revealing a sultry side Meghan posed in a navy two-piece for  another online snap

Eye for detail: Preparing for a selfie whilst exploring landmarks in Malta wearing a sleek brown coat

Eye for detail: Preparing for a selfie whilst exploring landmarks in Malta wearing a sleek brown coat

Hair today... The busy actress revealed her hair and  beauty regime with her social media followers

Hair today… The busy actress revealed her hair and  beauty regime with her social media followers

Up close: Meghan shared this picture of herself on Twitter, where she now has 400,000 followers

Up close: Meghan shared this picture of herself on Twitter, where she now has 400,000 followers

Well connected: Filming Suits meant moving to Toronto, where Meghan quickly made influential friends, including Jessica Mulroney (pictured together), the daughter-in-law of ex-Canadian PM Brian Mulroney

Well connected: Filming Suits meant moving to Toronto, where Meghan quickly made influential friends, including Jessica Mulroney (pictured together), the daughter-in-law of ex-Canadian PM Brian Mulroney

Social media sensation: A snap shared with her 1.7 million Instagram followers whilst exploring the beach in Mexico

Social media sensation: A snap shared with her 1.7 million Instagram followers whilst exploring the beach in Mexico

Flexible friend: While working on Suits, divorcee Meghan also ran a lifestyle blog called The Tig, revealing tips about food, beauty, travel — and her love of exercise

Flexible friend: While working on Suits, divorcee Meghan also ran a lifestyle blog called The Tig, revealing tips about food, beauty, travel — and her love of exercise

PRINCESS OF HOLLYWOOD 

Starting out: Meghan in 2002, shortly after making one of her first screen roles in soap General Hospital

Starting out: Meghan in 2002, shortly after making one of her first screen roles in soap General Hospital

Alluring: Meghan switched to acting after a brief stint working in the U.S. embassy in Buenos Aires — but had to wait nearly a decade for her big break

Alluring: Meghan switched to acting after a brief stint working in the U.S. embassy in Buenos Aires — but had to wait nearly a decade for her big break

Blinging it up: With her star on the rise, Meghan models for Splash Magazine in Chicago in 2014

Blinging it up: With her star on the rise, Meghan models for Splash Magazine in Chicago in 2014

Remarkable Miss Markle: Hair thrown across her face, Meghan smoulders in front of the camera in this modelling shot

Remarkable Miss Markle: Hair thrown across her face, Meghan smoulders in front of the camera in this modelling shot

SHE’S FOUND HER PRINCE 

Chukka pucker: Meghan shares a kiss with Harry after watching him play at Coworth Park Polo Club in Ascot this May

Chukka pucker: Meghan shares a kiss with Harry after watching him play at Coworth Park Polo Club in Ascot this May

Harry and Meghan's relationship was confirmed a year ago

The polo tournament was Harry and Meghan’s first sighting in public

It’s love, actually: The polo tournament was Harry and Meghan’s first sighting in public as a couple after their relationship was confirmed a year ago

Welcome to my world: Arriving in Harry’s beloved Botswana on Meghan’s 36th birthday in August. Yesterday, they revealed Meghan’s engagement ring includes a Botswana diamond 

Welcome to my world: Arriving in Harry’s beloved Botswana on Meghan’s 36th birthday in August. Yesterday, they revealed Meghan’s engagement ring includes a Botswana diamond 

Hand-in-hand: A beaming Meghan and Harry put on a public show of affection at the Prince’s Invictus Games in Toronto in September

Hand-in-hand: A beaming Meghan and Harry put on a public show of affection at the Prince’s Invictus Games in Toronto in September

Tender: Harry gave his girlfriend a kiss on the head as the pair arrived hand-in-hand for an event at the tournament

Tender: Harry gave his girlfriend a kiss on the head as the pair arrived hand-in-hand for an event at the tournament

At ease: Sitting among the crowds at the Invictus Games, Harry shares a string of jokes with his girlfriend

At ease: Sitting among the crowds at the Invictus Games, Harry shares a string of jokes with his girlfriend

Non-stop fun: As spectators and photographers looked on, Meghan and Harry appeared perfectly comfortable together

Non-stop fun: As spectators and photographers looked on, Meghan and Harry appeared perfectly comfortable together

Intimate: The prince leaned in to whisper in his girlfriend's ear as they took in the action at the wheelchair tennis

Intimate: The prince leaned in to whisper in his girlfriend’s ear as they took in the action at the wheelchair tennis

Game for a laugh: The couple relax in each other’s company in Toronto. Meghan has said: ‘We’re two people who are really happy and in love’

Game for a laugh: The couple relax in each other’s company in Toronto. Meghan has said: ‘We’re two people who are really happy and in love’

TV ROLES SHE’D RATHER FORGET… AND THE ONES HE’D RATHER FORGET 

Hit and miss: As she waited for her big break, Meghan took on several short-lived roles including Sleeping Beauty (pictured)

Hit and miss: As she waited for her big break, Meghan took on several short-lived roles including Sleeping Beauty (pictured)

Rough and tumble: Meghan, pictured wrestling in a ring, also bagged a role in the 2009 television reboot of Knight Rider

Rough and tumble: Meghan, pictured wrestling in a ring, also bagged a role in the 2009 television reboot of Knight Rider

Vivacious: Meghan also spent a period working as a ‘briefcase girl’ in the U.S. version of gameshow Deal Or No Deal

Vivacious: Meghan also spent a period working as a ‘briefcase girl’ in the U.S. version of gameshow Deal Or No Deal

Brief encounters: Suits made Meghan’s name, but it involved racy scenes with co-star Patrick J. Adams

Brief encounters: Suits made Meghan’s name, but it involved racy scenes with co-star Patrick J. Adams

Meghan Markle with co-star Patrick J. Adams in Suits

Meghan Markle with co-star Patrick J. Adams in Suits

Stripping off: Some of the show’s racier scenes saw the on-screen couple in the throes of passion, pictured left and right

HAPPILY EVER AFTER 

Tender: Harry and Meghan put a supportive arm around each other after posing for photographers at Kensington Palace yesterday

Tender: Harry and Meghan put a supportive arm around each other after posing for photographers at Kensington Palace yesterday

Picture research: Claire Cisotti for the Daily Mail

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk