Meghan: A Hollywood Princess by Andrew Morton takes readers through the life of American actress Meghan Markle, from her early childhood and career to her relationship with Prince Harry and the life-changing moment when she married into the British royal family.
The book begins by exploring Meghan’s early childhood, particularly her close relationship with her father, with whom she lived while growing up. Her father’s work as a television producer, and his many years in the media industry, exposed Meghan to the world of entertainment from a young age and helped shape her interest in acting. Morton also highlights her life before fame, including her early work as a wedding calligrapher and model before eventually making her breakthrough in the television series Suits. The biography also touches on her failed first marriage before she met Prince Harry. Overall, the book presents Meghan’s background effectively and illustrates how determined and strategic she was in building her career and public identity long before entering royal life.
The second part of the book focuses on Meghan’s blossoming romance with Prince Harry, beginning with their introduction through a mutual friend. Morton recounts how the couple initially kept their relationship private before it eventually became public knowledge. The narrative also describes how they maintained a long-distance relationship across continents while Meghan continued working in Canada and Prince Harry remained based in the United Kingdom. As their relationship became increasingly visible, Meghan faced intense public scrutiny, backlash, and relentless paparazzi attention.
Despite these challenges, the couple remained united. The book follows Prince Harry’s decision to bring Meghan on an African safari holiday, during which he eventually proposed to her. Morton then chronicles Meghan’s transition into royal life, including her public duties and the royal wedding that captured worldwide attention.
Throughout the biography, Meghan is portrayed as ambitious, media-aware, and highly intentional about the life she wanted to create. Whether readers admire or criticise her, the book makes it difficult to dismiss her work ethic and persistence. Morton subtly suggests that Meghan understood branding, networking, image management, and media influence from an early stage in her career.
One of the book’s most compelling aspects is its exploration of the changing relationship between traditional royal institutions and celebrity culture in the modern era. Meghan and Harry’s relationship, portrayed as the meeting of two vastly different worlds, symbolises a newer generation within the British royal family, although it is not the first time royalty has fallen in love with an actress. In 1936, Prince Harry’s great-great-uncle, King Edward VIII, famously abdicated the throne in order to marry the American actress Wallis Simpson.
Given this well-known historical parallel, it is unsurprising that Meghan is frequently compared to Wallis Simpson. In this way, the book indirectly raises questions about whether the monarchy can truly adapt to modern social and cultural changes.
However, the biography lacks emotional depth in certain areas. While it provides considerable detail about Meghan’s achievements and public image, it offers less insight into her flaws, contradictions, and inner complexity.
The book is easy to follow and not overly academic or emotionally demanding, allowing readers to finish it comfortably. Morton demonstrates a strong ability to structure celebrity biographies in an engaging yet accessible manner.
Overall, Meghan: A Hollywood Princess is perhaps more compelling as a study of modern image-making than as a definitive biography. The book remains engaging and accessible, though not entirely balanced.
