Take a look back at Meghan Markle’s childhood with these vintage family snaps
MEGHAN Markle is a successful actress in her own right - but she's been thrown even further into the limelight since getting engaged to Prince Harry.
So what do we know about the Suits star and her childhood? Here we take a look back at her journey...
The 36-year-old was born and raised in California.
Her African-American mum, Doria Radlan, has a master's degree in social work and works as a psychotherapist.
Meghan's dad Thomas is of Irish and Dutch descent and is an Emmy award-winning lighting director.
The actress' parents divorced when she was six-years-old.
During her childhood, Meghan was often taken on set by her father, sparking her interest in the industry.
This paired with the fact that she grew up in Hollywood undoubtedly influenced her interest in the world of showbusiness.
After being privately educated in Los Angeles, the Suits star began pursuing a career in acting.
In 2003, she graduated from Northwestern University, where she got a degree in theatre and international studies.
Cute snaps show that Markle looked like a curly-haired cherub as a tot.
Later family photos show the grinning actress posing in glasses and sitting around in her bedroom.
Meghan's teen photos, which would've been taken when she was attending a Catholic private school, also shed light on her early life.
Meghan has spoken about her childhood in numerous interviews.
In many of them, she discusses how racism affected her family.
The star revealed that people have questioned whether her mother was in fact her biological mum.
Writing for Elle Magazine, she added: “Being biracial paints a blurred line that is equal parts staggering and illuminating.”
“While my mixed heritage may have created a grey area surrounding my self-identification, keeping me with a foot on both sides of the fence, I have come to embrace that.
"To say who I am, to share where I’m from, to voice my pride in being a strong, confident mixed-race woman."
How Harry and Meghan's romance blossomed
May - October 2016: 'Besotted' Harry meets his future princess
May 2, 2016 - It is not known exactly when Prince Harry first met the Suits actress but he travelled to Toronto, where Meghan Markle lives to launch the countdown to the Invictus Games. The pair are then believed to have been introduced through friends in London in July last year and started seeing eachother.
Oct 30, 2016 - News of their relationship broke and the prince was described as 'besotted' with the actress. A source described Harry as "happier than he's been for many years".
November 2016 - January 2017: Protective prince defends new love
Nov 8, 2016 - In an unprecedented statement, Harry attacked the media over its "abuse and harassment" of his girlfriend. He claimed Meghan had experienced racism and sexism and even attempts by members of the press to get into her home.
Nov 11, 2016 - Three days later Ms Markle was spotted in London amid unconfirmed reports she was stay at Kensington Palace for the first time.
Dec 6, 2016 - Harry flew straight from his Caribbean tour to Toronto to be with Ms Markle, making a 1,700-mile (2,736 km) detour instead of flying to London.
Dec 13, 2016 - The couple were buying a Christmas tree together in Battersea Park. The tree seller described the pair as "totally happy, cute, couple-y - but not overly mushy and gross".
February 2017 - June 2017: First public kiss and meeting the family
Feb 2, 2017 - Harry and Meghan were spotted holding hands on a date night in London amid claims she had "virtually moved in" with the prince at his two-bedroom bachelor pad Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace.
May 7, 2017 - The couple were photographed kissing in public for the first time at Cowarth Park polo club in Ascot, Berkshire, and just days later she joined Harry at Pippa Middleton's wedding reception.
July 2017 - November 2017: Wedding rumours and engagement announced
July 8 - Meghan was reported to have been spotted trying on wedding dresses, sending rumours of an impending engagement into overdrive.
Sep 5 - Ms Markle graced the cover of US magazine Vanity Fair and spoke openly about Harry for the first time, revealing: ''We're two people who are really happy and in love.''
Sep 25, 2017 - Just days later they appeared hand-in hand at their first official public appearance together at Invictus's wheelchair tennis.
Nov 27, 2017 - After weeks of speculation, Clarence House announced the engagement, and the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh say they are ";delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness."
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set for a spring wedding next year after announcing their engagement today.
Prince Harry asked Meghan's parents for their blessing to marry daughter Meghan before popping the question.
Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland said they are "incredibly happy" with the couple's engagement, adding: "We wish them a lifetime of happiness."