Meghan Markle, 36, is set to marry Prince Harry, 33, on 19 May 2018, but why is she sometimes referred to by the name of Rachel?
The Queen recently referred to Meghan by the name ‘Rachel Meghan Markle’ in a formal letter of consent approving the royal wedding to the Privy Council.
Rachel is also the first name of LA born actress Meghan’s character on Suits, paralegal Rachel Zane who is the love interest of Mike Ross, played by Patrick J.Adams.
Meghan played the character Rachel for seven seasons of the hit US legal drama, so it is unsurprising fans of the show associate her with this name.
Meghan Markle’s real name
But is Rachel also Meghan Markle’s real name given to her when she was born in 1981? Meghan Markle’s parents named her Rachel Meghan Markle.
Is is believed Meghan chose to go by her middle name professionally, rather than use her first name.
She is not the first celebrity to do this: a long list of famous people, including Demi Moore, Elton John and Katy Perry use “stage” names in public.
Elton John, who is a close friend of the royals, was actually born with the full name of Reginald Kenneth Dwight.
Prince Harry’s real name
What is Prince Harry’s name? It is said the royal’s official name is actually His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales, rather than Prince Harry as he is commonly known.
Indeed, Meghan is not the only one in the relationship known publicly by a name that is not the one she was given at birth.
Harry is actually the prince’s nickname – something he’s been called since he was a young boy.
He also has three middle names, making his full name Henry Charles Albert David – which is much more of a mouthful. What the pair call each other in private is unknown, however.
Meghan and Kate Middleton are both partners of the royal princes, but who does the Queen prefer?
It seems the answer is revealed in a letter written by the Queen yesterday approving Meghan’s wedding to Prince Harry, 33.
While the letter is virtually identical to the one written to approve Kate Middleton’s marriage to Prince William, 35, in 2011, there is a noticeable difference which suggests the Queen favours Kate.
In the 2011 letter, the Queen referred to the then engaged couple as: “Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G. and Our Trusty and Well-beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton”.
However, Meghan was referred to simply by her full name, Rachel Meghan Markle, with no additional praise such as “trusty” or “well-beloved”.