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Surprising Details of Meghan Markle Nigerian Roots

Meghan Markle nigerian roots
Written by Teresa Mwangi

Nothing much was known about Meghan Markle Nigerian roots until she married Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex in May 2018. She plied her trade as a famous American actress. Her last and most successful stint on the screens was the legal drama series Suits as Rachel. The show cast nine seasons – a total of 134 episodes. It was hard to forget her character, a young self-doubting legal mind who started as a paralegal at Pearson Hardman. However, love came her way and he passed the bar exams to become a flourishing attorney.

Far from the screens, Meghan became an international sensation following her marriage to Prine Harry. Being an African American married into the Royal Family, brought a new face to the world. One of the most conservative families in the world ‘broke its norms’ by the Duke of Sussex marrying outside a royal family. Meghan hasn’t had it easy at all since she married Harry, who fathered her two children. Much of the controversy goes back to her African descent which took Windsor by surprise. But love knows no bounds!

Meghan Markle Nigerian Roots

Meghan Markle Nigerian is and will always be an interesting subject. Many people wonder how she carries Nigerian ancestry yet she is an American-born actress raised in California and educated in the US.  Although all her life is based in Los Angeles where she debuted her acting career – at Northwestern University – West Africa is her home too. Now at the heart of the British Royal Family, Meghan appreciates that she has African traits. She revealed in her podcast Archetypes that she is 43 per cent Nigerian, which fascinates her.

prince harry and meghan visit to nigeria

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their Nigerian Visit. PHOTO/AP/SUNDAY ALAMBA

All she wants is to learn a few basics, such as language, to fit in fully. Following this declaration on her podcast, she spoke more about it to Nigerian-American comedian, writer, and actor Ziwerekoru (Ziwe) Fumudoh. The conclusion on Meghan Markle Nigerian roots came after learning about her ancestry after a genealogy (family history) test. She had it a few years ago, and it rated her Nigerian ethnicity at 43%.

However, the Duchess of Sussex is yet to determine which Nigerian tribe her ancestors belonged to. But the former Suits actress (screen name Rachel Zane) promised to investigate the matter further. This sparked a domino effect of reactions around the globe, and it stirred a sense of pride among people of African descent in the West.

Is Meghan Markle From Royal Family?

Meghan is not from the Royal Family by birth. However, she is married to Prince Harry whose royal ancestry runs deep in him. Harry, of course, is British, and Meghan is American. This brings/brought some uncertainty in her position within the Royal Family due to the mixed-race effect in their marriage. Still, Meghan Markle Nigerian roots revelation complicates this. In light of their unique marriage, it is hard to ascertain that she is now a British Citizen. It takes several years to complete this whole process of acquiring British Citizenship.

prince harry and meghan visit to nigeria

The Duke of Sussex Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle in Nigeria. Photo/AP/Sunday Alamba

Meghan’s intention to become a British citizen is clear and straightforward since 2018 when she first disclosed it. In a nutshell, Los Angeles-born Meghan Markle may be the Duchess of Sussex, but she is not yet a British citizen. Many people believe that because she is a member of the Royal Family and married to the Queen’s grandson, she has a right to become a British Citizen, but this is not the case.

Who is Meghan Markle’s Real Mother?

Doria Ragland is Meghan Markle’s mother. She is an African-American who was married to Thomas Markle Sr – the Duchess’ dad. He is a Caucasian. She is an American social worker who has also worked as a yoga instructor and cosmetics artist born in Cleveland, Ohio. Doria was born to a nurse, Jeanette Arnold and her second husband, an antique dealer named Alvin Azell Ragland.

Her paternal grandparents descended from the days of slavery in Georgia, US. This explains Meghan Markle Nigerian roots which she simplifies by saying she is of mixed race. Half black, half white. Thomas divorced Doria four years after Meghan’s birth. Despite the separation, he is an established television director of photography and lighting designer who has won Emmy Awards.

What Ethnicity are the Royals?

It is shocking to learn about Meghan Markle Nigerian roots, but it is more surprising that British Royals trace back to ancient Germany.  Here is how it happened. On August 1, 1714, over 300 years ago, the English Queen Anne passed away. George Louis of Hanover, a German elector, was consequently crowned Great Britain’s king in place of the monarch. He was both the sole likely heir to the throne and the first German to take the throne of England.

His subjects in Great Britain were initially not amused. Before being crowned King George I on October 20, 1714, the German king had not even set foot on English soil two months after his proclamation. He had two mistresses, and he was divorced. According to some historians, who suspect this was a ruse in some ministerial meetings, George hardly spoke any English and lacked manners.

But it didn’t take long for the British to recognise how much good George had done for the realm. He helped create a new European balance of power that ended decades of conflict by focusing on peace, stability, and prosperity for his two states, Great Britain and Hanover.

About the author

Teresa Mwangi

Teresa is a journalist with years of experience in creating web content. She is a wanderlust at heart, loves travelling and telling stories about tour and travel in Africa by every angle.

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