Before Meghan Markle became the Duchess of Sussex, she once set her sights on a very different career path — one that could have led her into the world of diplomacy or even politics.
According to Finding Freedom, a biography by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, Meghan aspired to enter the U.S. State Department and took the Foreign Service Officer Test in 1999, a competitive exam that could have launched her into diplomatic service. However, her plans took a sudden turn when she failed the test.
At the time, Meghan was an intern at the U.S. embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, while also studying at Northwestern University in Illinois.
The book reveals that failing the exam was a significant setback for Meghan, who had always been known for her academic focus and determination.
“When she didn’t pass the highly competitive test, she was extremely disappointed,” the authors wrote. “She wasn’t used to failing. It was a major blow to her confidence, which she had always tried to protect.”
Despite this setback, Meghan continued her studies, ultimately earning a bachelor’s degree with a double major in theater and international studies.
This shift steered her away from a career in politics or diplomacy and toward acting, which eventually led her to her role on Suits and, ultimately, her high-profile marriage to Prince Harry.
Though she’s never explicitly stated a desire to run for office, rumors about her political aspirations have circulated for years, particularly after she became more vocal on social issues and humanitarian causes.
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Her podcast, Archetypes, has also highlighted her interest in public issues, and in one episode, she reflected on how she viewed herself as “the smart one, not the pretty one” during her formative years.
She even referenced the iconic characters Betty and Veronica from Archie Comics, remarking, “I always thought, well, I’m way more Betty than Veronica… And I was the smart one, not the pretty one.”
Failing the Foreign Service Officer Test may have closed one door, but Meghan’s life trajectory eventually led her to a global platform where she continues to champion various causes.
Her diplomatic aspirations may have been halted early on, yet today she finds herself at the center of conversations on humanitarian issues, speaking out on mental health, women’s rights, and more.
While her political path may have shifted, Meghan remains an influential public figure, demonstrating that her early drive to make a difference hasn’t diminished.
And though the State Department might not have been her final destination, Meghan’s current work continues to reflect the ambitions she held early in her life, albeit on an international stage of a different kind.
