Who Harry and Meghan are
Harry and Meghan refer to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Born Henry Charles Albert David on 31 August 1984 and Rachel Meghan Markle on 4 August 1981, they are members of the British royal family by marriage and public role. Harry is the younger son of Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales. Meghan is an American actress, humanitarian advocate, and author. Together, since their wedding in 2018, they have stepped back from senior royal duties, relocated to North America, and pursued independent professional and philanthropic work.
Key biographical details
Early lives and education
Harry was raised in London following the death of his mother in 1997, educated at Eton College and later the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Meghan grew up in Los Angeles, attended Immaculate Heart School, and graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in theatre and international relations. Both engaged in community service and sport during their formative years.
Career and public work before marriage
Before marrying, Harry served in the British Army, including operational deployments in Afghanistan, and founded the Invictus Games for wounded service personnel. Meghan worked as a successful actress on television and film, including the series Suits, and engaged in advocacy on gender and education through organizations like World Vision and Room to Read.
Relationship timeline and marriage
The couple met in 2016, began dating in mid-2017, and announced their engagement in November 2017. They married at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in May 2018 in a ceremony broadcast worldwide. Their son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, was born in May 2019, and their daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, was born in June 2021.
Notable milestones at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Birth dates | Harry: 31 August 1984; Meghan: 4 August 1981 | Official biographies |
| Wedding | 19 May 2018 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor | Royal household records |
| First child | Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, born 6 May 2019 | Palace announcement |
| Second child | Lilibet Diana, born 4 June 2021 | Palace announcement |
| Stepping back from senior roles | Reported in early 2020; transition detailed in Oprah interview (March 2021) | Official statements and interview |
Life after stepping back from senior duties
In early 2020, Harry and Meghan announced they would no longer use their HRH styles as working members of the royal family, aiming to become financially independent. They moved to the United States, where they launched projects through Archewell Foundation and Archewell Productions. Harry released a memoir, Spare, in 2023, while Meghan and Netflix produced the documentary Harry & Meghan, and the couple signed a multiyear deal for scripted and unscripted content.
Professional focus areas
- Mental health awareness and advocacy
- Race and gender equity initiatives
- Veteran support through the Invictus Games
- Media production and storytelling through Archewell
Public perception and media coverage
Coverage of Harry and Meghan has been extensive and polarised. In the UK, tabloids have often scrutinised their choices and finances, while international media highlight their break from tradition. The Oprah interview in March 2021 brought new attention to issues of race, mental health, and institutional challenges. Subsequent interviews, legal proceedings, and documentaries have continued to shape public understanding of their motivations and experiences.
Status as of 2024
Harry and Meghan remain internationally prominent figures outside the traditional royal structure. They continue to pursue commercial and philanthropic projects, reside in California, and maintain global media interest. While they no longer carry out official royal engagements on behalf of the British monarchy, they remain family members and continue to engage in public discussion on personal, social, and institutional topics.
Common questions
- Are Harry and Meghan still part of the royal family? They are family by birth and marriage but do not perform official royal duties; they have stepped back as working royals.
- Where do they live now? They primarily reside in California, United States.
- What have they published or produced? Harry wrote Spare; they produced the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan and have multiple production projects underway.
- What causes do they support? Mental health, equity, veterans, and media education through their foundation and partners.