Meghan Markle’s childhood business paved the way for her future royal role

Meghan Markle's business gave her a huge sense of 'pride' when she was just a young child

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex smiles during the JLR Drive Day at Cockatoo Island on October 20, 2018
(Image credit: Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)

Meghan Markle has opened up about the first business she set up at just eight years old and it seems she already had the skills she’s showcased since becoming a royal. 


Meghan Markle is well known for her savvy approach to business, having launched multiple ventures since she and Prince Harry chose to “step back” as senior royals last year. From her exciting new Netflix project to her first children’s book, The Bench, and the rumors about a possible Meghan Markle beauty line, the Duchess of Sussex has well and truly showcased her skills. And it seems that Meghan’s first-ever project paved the way for not only her future businesses but saw her make her childhood mark on an industry that couldn’t be more closely connected to the Duchess in the eyes of many fans.

Opening up during a discussion about women and the gender pay gap with The New York Times DealBook Online Summit, Meghan disclosed how when she was just eight or nine years old she began making fabric hair accessories. 

“I remember when I was really young, I must have been eight or nine, I started making scrunchies to sell,” she is understood to have explained, before going on to reveal how her mom Doria Ragland helped her achieve her business dream.

The Duchess continued, "I had my mum take me downtown to get scraps of fabric from the fabric stores and sell them like five for five bucks who knows.”

And the feeling of making something from scratch is something that Meghan revealed brought her great “pride” even as a young girl. 

“I remember the feeling of knowing that I had done something, I had invested in myself and done this labour and been compensated for it. There’s a sense of pride that comes from that,” she shared. 

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex departs Canada House on January 07, 2020

(Image credit: Photo by Neil Mockford/GC Images)

Since becoming a member of the Royal Family, Meghan’s style moments have consistently delighted fans. From Meghan Markle’s wedding dress to her color-block looks at recent outings that could be seen to take a style tip from the Queen, the Duchess of Sussex’s outfits have frequently been met with praise. 

Whilst back in 2013, she launched her own collection with Smart Works, which helps unemployed women regain the confidence they need to return to employment. Meghan collaborated with them to design seven individual pieces of clothing that were perfectly suited for job interviews, with one piece donated for every one sold. Here once again the Duchess' love of fashion shone through in this significant venture as she supported other women.

Now Meghan has launched various new projects since stepping back from royal life, but the idea that even at just eight or nine years old, her flair for fashion was already evident and that she was channelling it to take her first steps in business is truly inspiring. 

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex launches the Smart Works capsule collection on September 12, 2019 in London, England

(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

And that’s not the only revelation Meghan made in her recent appearance as she explained how despite being a senior royal, she remains super savvy when it comes to her shopping.

“Do they have coupons anymore?” she pondered. “I don’t know, but I will never buy anything online without finding an online promo code first. That’s still in there, it’s a modern version of the same thing.”

So it seems that whilst Meghan Markle’s business skills, sense of style and financial savviness have continued to develop and shine throughout the years, they can be traced all the way back to her early childhood. 

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Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!