How Meghan Markle’s Life Has Transformed in a Decade: “When 2026 feels just like 2016”
- L J Louis
- Jan 19
- 5 min read
When Meghan Sussex recently shared a black-and-white video of herself dancing with Prince Harry on their lawn, she paired it with a striking caption: “When 2026 feels just like 2016.” The intimate clip, which she said was captured by their daughter Lilibet, feels both nostalgic and symbolic. It invites a comparison between who Meghan was in 2016 and who she is now—a woman whose life has changed almost beyond recognition.
In many ways, 2016 marked Meghan’s final year of relative obscurity. By 2026, she has become one of the most recognizable women worldwide, a former working royal, mother of two, and a global public figure balancing privacy, purpose, and public curiosity.
In 2016, Meghan Markle was best known for her role as Rachel Zane on the legal drama Suits. She was a successful actress who was respected in the industry but had not yet become a worldwide celebrity. Her life, while busy and ambitious, remained mostly her own. In 2016, Meghan was already motivated, socially aware, and media savvy. However, she still lived in a world where she had more control over how much of herself she revealed—and to whom.
Fast forward ten years, and Meghan Markle’s life has been transformed by events few could have predicted back in 2016: a royal relationship, a globally watched wedding, life within the British monarchy, a controversial departure, and the development of a new identity in the United States. From a Suits actress and lifestyle blogger to a duchess, mother, and worldwide advocate, Meghan’s story over the past decade is one of significant change—and unexpected consistency.
When Meghan married Prince Harry, she became the Duchess of Sussex and entered one of the oldest and most heavily scrutinized institutions worldwide. Her career as an actress and lifestyle blogger gave way to royal duties, official engagements, and the expectations that come with a formal public role. This move brought intense media attention—both supportive and hostile—and an unprecedented level of intrusion into her private life. Every gesture, appearance, and relationship was analyzed. The woman who once shared carefully curated moments on Instagram and The Tig suddenly found her entire life under a global microscope. The couple’s decision to step back from their roles as senior working royals marked another turning point. No longer defined solely by royal protocol, Meghan and Harry began to build a new chapter in California.
They launched Archewell, their foundation and media company, focused on storytelling, mental health, community, and social impact. Meghan shifted from actress to advocate and producer—using her platform to speak openly about race, gender, motherhood, and the pressures of fame. In this new phase, she is not just being written about; she is actively shaping the stories she wants to tell and how she wants to be seen. Perhaps the most profound change since 2016 is Meghan’s role as a mother. She and Prince Harry are raising their two children, Archie and Lilibet, away from the constraints of palace life and the traditional royal fishbowl. A recent black-and-white video, said to be filmed by Lilibet, captures a simple, joyful scene: parents dancing barefoot on their lawn, carefree and connected. It’s a far cry from red carpets and royal walkabouts, yet it says more about who Meghan is now than any high-profile public appearance. Motherhood has clearly reshaped her priorities. Privacy, protection, and creating a nurturing environment seem to sit at the center of her world. The image of family life she shares today is intentional: grounded, loving, and distinctly her own.
“When 2026 feels just like 2016”: How Meghan Markle’s Life Has Transformed in a Decade
The caption Meghan chose—“2026 feels just like 2016”—may seem surprising at first, given how drastically her circumstances have changed. However, it hints at core parts of herself that have stayed remarkably consistent. In 2016, Meghan was already discussing female empowerment, equality, and representation. Those themes still shape much of her public work today. Whether through speeches, interviews, charity efforts, or media projects, she continues to advocate for marginalized voices and systemic change. The platforms have expanded, but the message remains familiar.
The Tig was an early glimpse into Meghan’s voice—personal, reflective, and rooted in stories. A decade later, she’s still grounded in storytelling, now on a much larger scale with podcasts, documentaries, and public conversations. The black-and-white dancing video fits that instinct perfectly: an artistic, intimate moment shared with the world, but firmly on her own terms. From candid Instagram posts in 2016 to a home movie filmed by her daughter, Meghan has consistently shared glimpses of happiness: food with friends, travel, laughter, quiet domestic moments. Despite the pressures of fame and the upheavals of the past decade, that playful, joyful side of her still emerges—now in the form of dancing on a lawn with her husband, captured by their little girl.
If Meghan’s values seem steady, the environment around her has changed. In 2016, Meghan’s life was fairly private because the world wasn’t watching so closely. Today, privacy is something she must actively safeguard. The choice to live in California, restrict access to her children, and share only carefully selected glimpses—like the dancing video—reflects years of managing public pressure, media intrusion, and online hostility. A decade ago, Meghan’s audience mainly consisted of fans of Suits and followers of her blog and social media. By 2026, her words can reach millions instantly and shape conversations across the globe.
Every statement, partnership, or appearance carries more significance—and more potential backlash—than it did ten years ago. The stakes are simply higher. In 2016, Meghan’s goals were primarily personal: building a career, expanding her brand, and increasing her influence. Now, her story is intertwined with Harry’s and their children’s. Decisions are no longer just about her individual ambitions but also about the legacy they want to build as a family—what kind of world they hope their children will grow up in, and what example they want to set.
Seen through this perspective, the black-and-white video of Meghan and Harry dancing on their lawn feels like a full-circle moment. In 2016, Meghan was a woman shaping her own story, sharing what she chose with a small yet engaged audience. In 2026, she is still doing that—only now, the world is much larger and much louder. Yet the core remains: a woman who values love, joy, purpose, and storytelling. The difference is that she is now a wife, a mother, and someone who has faced extraordinary public highs and lows. So when Meghan writes that “2026 feels just like 2016,” it might not be about circumstances at all. It could be about something quieter and more lasting: that beneath the titles, headlines, and controversies, she is still herself. And she is still very much in love with the man she loves, Prince Harry.