6 ways Meghan Markle’s life changed after she became the Duchess of Sussex: before marrying Prince Harry and joining the British royal family, she was a calligrapher and restaurant hostess

Jan 12 , 2022

Take a look at how Meghan Markle went from an actress on Suits to the Duchess of Sussex. Photos: AdMedia/Retna Ltd, TNS

Before she got her big showbiz break on TV show Suits, Markle had a number of odd jobs, from briefcase model to freelance calligrapher

As a working royal, she followed Queen Elizabeth’s royal protocols and sat with a ‘duchess slant’ like Kate Middleton – but now she and Harry have a new life in California

Meghan Markle’s life changed overnight when she married Prince Harry. Like her sister-in-law Kate Middleton, she was a regular person before tying the knot with the prince. But – as we all know by now – becoming the Duchess of Sussex wasn’t all roses. And beyond her tumultuous relationship with the British royals, even simple things like closing car doors or her posture while sitting had to be changed after becoming part of royalty.

Although she and Harry have since stepped back, here are six ways her life was different before and after she became a working royal …

Before: she had odd jobs

Meghan Markle on Deal or No Deal. Photo: @HausofMiranda/Twitter

Before, Markle held a number of odd jobs before getting her big break on the TV show Suits. She was a briefcase model on Deal or No Deal, a freelance calligrapher, a restaurant hostess and more.

After: butlers and staff did jobs for her

In fact, the fact that she closed her own car door made headlines. Markle was spotted several times closing her own car door instead of having a member of her staff do it for her. It’s not a breach of royal protocol – Middleton has also shut her own car door on occasion – but the move was widely scrutinised nonetheless.