Meghan Markle's life underwent a drastic transformation when she became a member of the royal family. Among other things, she was forced to delete her personal Instagram account. Here are some of the most interesting insights into her past life that can be gleaned from these deleted photos...
Bed Selfie
It's a shame that Markle's life— her career as an actor and her achievements as an activist— have now been overshadowed by her marriage to Prince Harry. Once upon a time, her Instagram had over three million followers.
Bottoms Up
The British tabloid newspapers often like to attack members of the royal family for their frivolous lifestyles. Images of Meghan relaxing, partying or otherwise acting like a normal person would have been fuel on the fire for the right-wing press that really dislike her.
Cheers
Heaven forbid the royal family ever look relatable. Markle's fondness for casual drinks pales in comparison to recent scandals relating to other royals, but for the sake of keeping up appearances, Markle can no longer enjoy herself in public.
Feeling Artsy
Perhaps the best thing about Markle's pre-royalty Instagram feed is that it gives us a glimpse of who she is as a person: artistic, creative and social. Of course, now she's best known for campaigning against the ongoing climate crisis, an issue that the royal family have been invested in for decades.
"Good in Bed"
This photo isn't what you think— Markle was sent a pair of new pajamas with risque packaging, and she thought it was so funny that she wanted to show it off. All in all, her Instagram was incredibly tame by the standards of the platform.
"Suits"
As relaxed and casual as this photo may appear, it's actually a carefully posed promotional picture for "Suits." Markle can be seen with her legs in the air alongside costar Sarah Rafferty, and to be honest, it's probably the raciest picture Markle ever posted on Instagram.
Jetsetting
The right-wing press in Britain is utterly obsessed with Markle and her husband Harry flying in private jets, claiming that this is hypocritical considering how much they campaign against the climate crisis. Markle has always been an avid flier, but Prince Harry claims that she's persuaded him to fly economy as often as possible since they got married.
Furry Friend
Pets feature frequently in Markle's old Instagram posts. She's a keen animal lover, and pictures of her snuggling up with a canine friend look very familiar to anyone who's ever taken a photo of their dog.
A Bite to Eat
What is Instagram without photos of food? Markle must really like Prince Harry to have agreed to marry him, considering that she can't ever have a quiet meal in a restaurant again.
Cuddles in Bed
Another photo of Markle getting comfortable with a four-legged friend. Her beloved companion, a beagle named Guy, came to live with her and Harry after they got married.
Cute Selfie
Sometimes you can't beat a selfie. While Markle has a new, shiny official Instagram account run by the British Royal Family, it's filled with very formal, staged photos, so we no longer get this kind of honest intimacy from her pictures.
Out With Friends
In this photo, Markle can be seen on the streets of Spain with two of her friends, fashion designer Misha Nonoo and "King of Soho House" Markus Anderson. Naturally, the British press is furious that Markle has a male friend, and all kinds of dubious tales have been spun about their relationship.
Casual Night In
If the idea of a member of the royal family curling up on the sofa with a glass of wine and a pair of dogs seems bizarre, it's a good thing we have Markle to prove that royalty are people too.
Trick or Treat
Unbridled enthusiasm about Halloween is uncommon in Britain, so it's hard not to wonder how Markle passes the popular American holiday now that she lives in the UK. Presumably Frogmore Cottage doesn't get a lot of trick-or-treaters.
Looking Good
Now seems like a good moment to point out that Markle can absolutely rock a simple white shirt. This one was designed by her friend Misha Nonoo, and Markle wore it for her first official outing with her royal fiance.
Needed on Set
Here's Markle looking effortlessly chic in another plain white shirt, this time on the set of "Suits." It's a shame she won't be able to act any more now that she's taken on a role within British royalty.
Yoga Master
This impressive display of a difficult yoga position shows just how many talents Markle has at her disposal. Here's hoping she still gets the opportunity to practice now that she's a mother.
Happy Thanksgiving
While the royal family (very obviously) doesn't celebrate American Thanksgiving, there's no doubt Markle still manages to get her turkey fix somehow. If nothing else, the royal family have turkey for their Christmas lunch every year— although it typically isn't served with marshmallows because British people keep sweet and savory food separate.
Mirror Selfie
It's worth remembering that whether a celebrity is a famous actor or a member of the royal family, they're still people, and they still take the same earnest mirror photos the rest of us take. The only difference is that Markle looks fantastic even when relaxing in a blanket on her bed.
Summer Chic
A somewhat more artificial photo here shows Markle outside and relaxing with a can of beer. This is exactly the kind of image that the royal family don't like getting out— if only because certain royals cannot be trusted to act sensibly while drunk.
A Wonderful Woman
Part of the reason why Markle receives such a kicking in the British tabloid press is because she's so outspoken against their interests. The newspapers that agree with her stance on the climate crisis don't often report on royal gossip, so it often feels like Markle is hated more than she really is.
Always the Bridesmaid
This lovely photo of Markle as a bridesmaid at a friend's wedding reflects her status as a naturally gifted social. Of course she has a lot of friends— she's so lovely!
Kiss on the Cheek
This photo of Markle kissing "Suits" costar Patrick Adams was actually posted on his personal Instagram account, but he quickly deleted it. Apparently Markle can't even exist in a charming and personal manner on someone else's social media account.
The Quiet Life
Here we see yet another photo of the kind of lifestyle Markle led before her marriage to Windsor— a moment spent relaxing with a drink in the quiet countryside. Here's hoping she still gets moments to live like this now.
Woof Woof
Finally, because this is Instagram and it's mandatory, here's Meghan Markle with a dog filter. You're welcome.
Harry Is Not His Real Name
Prince Harry was actually born Prince Henry Charles Albert David Mountbatten-Windsor. Quite a mouthful, right? His parents, Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana decided to nickname him Harry for short, and it certainly stuck.
He Is His Uncle's Double
Prince Harry definitely gets his looks from his mother's side of the family. Harry's uncle, Charles Spencer, shares the same fair features as the Prince, with golden eyebrows and that distinctive red hair.
He Used a Nickname for His Facebook Account
In the past, it was rumored that Prince Harry used his well known nickname "Spike Wells" to set up a Facebook account. It is believed his close friends and protection officers at Scotland Yard refer to him by this name, as a way to conceal his identity from the media.
Princess Diana Had Her Own Nickname for Him
It is reported that Harry's mother, Princess Diana had her own personal nickname for her son. She called him "Little Spencer" because of his red hair. Princess Diana's siblings all had red hair and her nickname was certainly an homage to her family, the Spencers.
He Was Involved in a Cheating Scandal at School
While attending Eton College, the esteemed boarding school for boys, (which is notable for being the sixth most expensive boarding school in the UK) the young Prince faced a trial whereby he was accused of getting someone to write part of his A-Levels for him. Eventually, after an extensive investigation, Prince Harry was found innocent.
He is a Talented Artist
Since academia was not his strong suit; Harry's father, Prince Charles, got him interested in painting because he was an avid artist himself. Prince Harry is said to be talented with a paint brush in his hand and he still enjoys this hobby today.
His Best Friend Died When He Was 18-Years-Old
After the death of his mother when he was just 12-years-old, Prince Harry dealt with another devastating loss when he was 18. His best friend from prep school, Henry van Straubenzee, was killed in a car crash just before Christmas in 2002.
His Phone Was Hacked by the Media
In 2019, Prince Harry sued newspapers the Sun and the Daily Mirror for intercepting voice messages from his phone. The lawsuit came after years of phone-hacking by British media outlets on members of the royal family. Among the victims were Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Between settlements and legal costs, both newspapers paid a staggering £500m to the victims.
He's Made the Front Pages for His Scandalous Behavior
In 2002, Harry admitted to heavy drinking and marijuana use when he was 16, which prompted his father, Prince Charles, to send him to a drug rehab center for a day. In 2005, the Prince was photographed wearing a Nazi uniform to a costume party, which he apologized for a few days later. In 2012, TMZ published photos of a nude Prince Harry running around in a hotel suite in Las Vegas.
He Was a Soldier in Afghanistan
In 2007, Prince Harry was stationed in Afghanistan for ten weeks but was removed after an Australian magazine revealed he was in active combat there. In 2010, he returned to Afghanistan for a 20-week deployment with the Army Air Corps.
He Did His Military Training in the United States
In 2011, Prince Harry completed his military training in the dusty deserts of California and Arizona. The desert conditions were the perfect place for him to train how to fly Apache helicopters, as these locations mirrored the conditions in Afghanistan.
He Is an Award-Winning Pilot
While training to fly Apache helicopters, Prince Harry won an award for the best co-pilot/gunner. It is reported that Harry's military trainers considered him an "instinctive flyer."
He Founded the Invictus Games
Prince Harry was inspired after attending the Warrior Games in Colorado Springs in 2013 to create the Invictus Games. These games are a multi-sporting event in which injured, wounded or ill armed services personnel compete in a variety of different sports.
He Has a Close Bond With Kate Middleton
Prince Harry has referred to Kate Middleton as "the sister I never had." The pair have known each other for twenty years and have always had a sibling bond. Prince Harry even shared Kensington Palace with his brother and Kate and it is believed that Harry would often visit his brother and sister-in-law's section of the palace for Kate's home cooked dinner.
He Hiked to the North Pole for Charity
In 2013, Prince Harry joined wounded service personnel for four days on a trek through freezing temperatures to the North Pole to raise money for the charity, Walking with the Wounded. They reached the Pole on Friday, the 13th of December but it was anything but an unlucky day for the team of adventurers who celebrated at the top.
Harry Originally Inherited His Mother's Engagement Ring
Although Kate Middleton wears Princess Diana's engagement ring today, it was originally inherited by Prince Harry. After their mother's death, Prince William and Harry were given the opportunity to keep one piece of her jewelry. Harry selected Diana's engagement ring while William chose her Cartier watch. The brothers swapped jewelry when William wanted to propose to Kate with the famous sapphire ring.
He Has a Loving Relationship With Africa
Harry first fell in love with Africa in 1997 when he visited Botswana and South Africa along with his father, Prince Charles, and they met Nelson Mandela. Since then, he has worked with many organizations and charities for fighting AIDS and protecting vulnerable children. He was even involved in the project to translocate 500 endangered elephants to safer lands.
He Set Up a Charity for Vulnerable Young People in Africa
Following in his mother's footsteps, in 2006, Prince Harry set up a charity named Sentebale for orphaned children with HIV and AIDs and vulnerable young people in Lesotho, South Africa. His aim is to raise awareness of how to eradicate the shame and stigma attached to HIV and share how education of the virus can prevent it from spreading.
His Paycheck Comes From His Father
Things may have changed since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's announcement to leave their royal duties, but before this, Harry was on his father's payroll. Both William and Harry's fortune is footed from Prince Charles' fundings, as well as Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle's expenses.
He Used to Be Britain's Most Eligible Bachelor
As a young bachelor, Prince Harry was constantly in the tabloids for his dating life. His exes include British actress, Cressida Bonas who he was set up with by his cousin Princess Eugenie. However, his most well known relationship before the "Suits" star, Meghan Markle was with Zimbabwean lawyer, Chelsy Davy. Davy and the Prince dated on-and-off for seven years but called it quits in 2011.
He Met Meghan Markle on a Blind Date
The pair met when a mutual friend set them up and although they had certainly heard of one another, they were complete strangers. Markle confesses to not having any preconceived idea of who he was and just wanted to know from her friend, "Well is he nice? 'Cause if he wasn't kind, it just didn’t seem like it would make sense."
He Brought Meghan Markle on a Private Museum Tour
Night at the museum! When the couple were dating, Prince Harry brought Meghan Markle on a private tour of the Natural History Museum in London. It is reported that Harry has a passion for learning about dinosaurs, so after the museum closed to the public, the pair had the whole building to themselves.
He Is a Competitive Polo Player
When you think polo, you probably think, "a rich people sport" and you'd be right! The Windsor men have always been active polo players and Prince Harry has certainly been in the spotlight for it, playing professionally for England against Australia when he was younger.
He Designed His Own Coat of Arms
When he turned 18-years-old, Queen Elizabeth II gave Prince Harry his own coat of arms and he even had his hand in the design of his crest. Since his marriage to Meghan Markle in 2018, his wife's coat of arms has been incorporated next to Harry's. Markle's coat of arms reflects her California background with a shield containing the color blue to represent the Pacific Ocean and golden rays to symbolize sunshine.
He Is Open About His Mental Health
In a campaign to raise awareness of mental health, Prince Harry admitted to years of panic attacks and rage, revealing that his life was in "total chaos" for two years. He spoke candidly about the years of pain and managing his life and mental health while coping with the early death of his mother, disclosing that he has needed therapy during those times.