Meghan Markle: Your need-to-know on the most Googled actress of 2016

Because there's far more to Meghan Markle than her royal BF

You probably know all there is to know about the Meghan Markle and Prince Harry romance. But, while the world's been focussing on their relationship, we realised we actually know very little about the 35-year-old actress herself, so we've remedied that immediately with a Meghan Markle 101...

What's Meghan Markle's story so far?

Meghan was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, to her yoga instructor and clinical therapist mother, Doria, but Meghan was first introduced to the acting world as a child because her dad was director of photography on the hit US show Married... With Children. Meghan then went on to study theatre and international relations at the Northwestern University School of Communication. She was married for two years to film producer and talent manager Trevor Engelson before the relationship ended in 2013. And, before dating Prince Harry, she was with Canadian chef Cory Vitiello for two years.

What is Meghan Markle most famous for?

She now lives between LA and Toronto, because the latter is where her main TV show Suits is filmed. The legal drama is what Meghan is professionally most famous for. She plays paralegal Rachel Zane and has just wrapped on the show's sixth season.

You need to watch the powerful speech she gave at the UN in 2015

Does she have any secret talents?

After graduating, Meghan worked for the US Embassy in Buenos Aires. Upon returning to California, Meghan found herself auditioning, modelling (she actually used to hold the briefcases on the American version of Deal or No Deal back in 2006) and working as a freelance calligrapher, where she produced letters and invitations for the likes of Dolce & Gabbana and for singer Robin Thicke's wedding to Paula Patton. It wasn't until she met an acting manager at a party and gave him one of her college films that she considered herself properly 'discovered' as an actress.

She does A LOT of charity work

Megan's burgeoning acting career did not put a stop to her other job as a busy humanitarian campaigner. She's just been named global ambassador for World Vision Canada and has also recently visited Rwanda to promote and support the organisation's Clean Water campaign. Megan has also supported the US troops by visiting Afghanistan.

Have you read her website The Tig?

Not content with just being an actress/campaigner, Meghan also founded lifestyle website, The Tig, which covers everything from travel, decor, food and general musings.

She's been quoted as saying the website is her way to 'reframe content to include think pieces about self-empowerment' and as well as bringing a more meaningful element to her career. 'I've never wanted to be a lady who lunches' she says, 'I've always wanted to be a woman who works.'

She's BFFs with Priyanka Chopra

So now you know! The two are regularly spotted on each other's Instagram accounts, hanging out.

And most importantly for a prospective Royal, does she like animals?

Yes! She loves dogs and currently has two rescues, Guy and Bogart, who are all over her Instagram account with the accompanying hashtag #adoptdontshop.

 OK. We get it. Prince Harry is one lucky man.