Meghan Markle’s First Marriage: From Hollywood Love Story to Sudden Split

Meghan Markle has been happily married to Prince Harry for six years. In that time, the couple welcomed two children, left the Royal Family, and settled in the United States. But long before Harry, Meghan was married to film producer Trevor Engelson.

The pair tied the knot in 2011 after seven years together. Just two years later, they divorced—a split that friends and royal biographers describe as sudden and painful.

Early Life and Hollywood Beginnings

Born August 4, 1981, in Los Angeles, Meghan grew up around show business thanks to her father, Emmy-winning lighting director Thomas Markle. She often visited sets as a child, including Married… with Children.

At 11, she successfully campaigned to change a sexist dish soap commercial slogan, showing her determination early on. Meghan later studied theater and international relations at Northwestern University, briefly considered politics, but ultimately pursued acting.

Her early roles were modest, including a stint as a “Deal or No Deal” briefcase model. In 2011, she landed the career-defining role of Rachel Zane on Suits.

Meeting Trevor Engelson

Meghan met Trevor Engelson, a New York native and USC graduate, in 2004. Trevor worked his way up in Hollywood from production assistant to film producer, with credits including Remember Me and License to Wed.

The couple married in Jamaica in September 2011. Their three-day celebration included beach parties, drinking games, and a brief 15-minute ceremony.

Distance and Growing Apart

Shortly after their wedding, Meghan moved to Toronto for Suits. The five-hour flight between them strained their relationship. Biographer Andrew Morton wrote that Meghan, once unable to imagine life without Trevor, began building a new life in Canada.

Trevor’s busy schedule also kept him from visiting her on set, something friends found unusual. Meanwhile, Meghan embraced a new social circle, including celebrity stylist Jessica Mulroney.

A Dramatic End

By 2013, the marriage was over. Meghan cited “irreconcilable differences” and reportedly mailed her wedding rings back to Trevor. Friends said he was “devastated” and “still in love with her” at the time.

Royal watchers claim Meghan found Trevor’s laid-back style at odds with her growing public image. Former friends allege she considered him “embarrassing” in her new, more polished world.

What Comes Next

Meghan has never spoken publicly about the divorce. However, author Tom Bower plans to include fresh interviews with Trevor Engelson in his upcoming book, potentially shedding new light on the marriage and its end.

Whether or not Trevor shares his side, their brief but intense relationship remains one of the most intriguing chapters in Meghan Markle’s life story.