Have you ever wondered about Meghan Markle’s life before becoming British royalty? Many don’t know that the Duchess of Sussex was previously married before meeting Prince Harry.
Meghan’s first husband was film producer Trevor Engelson. Their relationship spanned seven years before culminating in marriage and divorce.
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Discover how the couple met, their wedding details, reasons for splitting, and more fascinating facts about the Duchess’ first union.
How Trevor Engelson and Meghan Markle Met
Long before her royal fairytale, Los Angeles native Meghan Markle met her first husband Trevor Engelson in 2004. Both were pursuing entertainment careers in Hollywood.
Trevor worked as a film producer and talent manager. The success of his 2010 film Remember Me helped put him on the map.
Meanwhile, Meghan was working as an actress in TV series such as General Hospital and Century City. She had not yet landed her role in the legal drama Suits.
The couple first connected at a bar when mutual friend Markus Anderson introduced them. Anderson later played matchmaker again by arranging Meghan’s first date with Prince Harry.
Despite their busy careers, Meghan and Trevor’s relationship quickly grew serious. They dated for six years before deciding to tie the knot.
Meghan Markle’s First Wedding Details
After a lengthy courtship, Meghan Markle and Trevor Engelson wed on September 10, 2011, in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Their destination wedding took place at the Jamaica Inn resort.
Approximately 100 guests attended the four-day celebration, mostly fellow Hollywood insiders and Meghan’s long-time friends. Her Suits co-stars like Rick Hoffman and Gina Torres made the guest list.
Meghan wore a simple white strapple dress with an appliqué belt and a V-neckline. She wore her hair down, in perfect harmony with the tropical weather.
The groom also wore white with a loose-fitting shirt and linen pants.
The weekend culminated in an oceanfront ceremony at sunset. Candles and flowers added a romantic ambiance to the beachfront nuptials officiated by a Christian minister.
While publicly shared wedding photos remain scarce, the event appeared intricately planned for maximum island bliss.
Meghan and Trevor: Marriage and Divorce Timeline
Meghan Markle and Trevor Engelson enjoyed newlywed life for two years before separating in 2013. Long distance and diverging priorities contributed to the split.
Here’s a timeline of the ups and downs in Meghan’s first marriage:
- 2004: Meghan and Trevor meet in LA and begin dating.
- 2011: After six years together, the couple weds in Jamaica.
- 2013: Meghan and Trevor separate after two years of marriage.
- August 2013: Meghan films *Suits* in Toronto as divorce proceedings start.
- 2014: The divorce finalizes after nearly one year of negotiations.
- 2016: Meghan meets Prince Harry and embarks on a new romance.
Just a year after their lavish wedding, Meghan relocated to Toronto for filming Suits while Trevor remained in LA. Tabloids soon reported marital issues.
Meghan formally filed for divorce in August 2013 citing “irreconcilable differences.” The prolonged divorce process was finally completed in August 2014.
Two years later, newly single Meghan met Prince Harry on a blind date. As her royal relationship accelerated, ties were permanently severed with her first husband.
What Caused the Split?
Several factors created cracks in Meghan and Trevor’s marriage, leading to their 2014 divorce.
- Long distance: Meghan’s acting job forced bicoastal living between LA and Toronto.
- Career focus: Meghan prioritized her burgeoning acting career. Trevor stayed absorbed in producing.
- Lifestyle changes: Meghan embraced Toronto life while Trevor disliked visiting Canada.
- Growing apart: Lengthy separations resulted in the couple simply drifting apart.
Neither party has publicly blamed the other for the dissolution of their marriage. The relationship seemed to unravel naturally as Meghan reached career heights.
Trevor Engelson: life after divorce with Meghan
Both Meghan and Trevor moved on romantically following their amicable divorce. However, Meghan’s royal relationship eclipsed her first husband’s dating life.
In 2016, Meghan met Prince Harry and made worldwide headlines. They wed in 2018, cementing her princess status.
Trevor dated actress Tracey Kurland. They married privately in 2019 and in 2020 welcomed their first daughter and in 2021 became parents for the second time.
Trevor remains a successful film producer based in California. He maintains a relatively low profile compared to his globally famous ex-wife.
While the exes don’t appear to have stayed in touch, their split was clearly destiny. Otherwise, Meghan wouldn’t have become British royalty and altered
