Who was Meghan Markle married to before Prince Harry and what were the dates of that marriage?
Executive summary
Meghan Markle’s only prior marriage was to American film producer Trevor Engelson; they wed in Jamaica in 2011 and their marriage ended in the early 2010s with divorce finalized in either 2013 or 2014 depending on reports (multiple sources state marriage 2011 and divorce between 2013–2014) [1] [2] [3]. Contemporary reporting and reference sources consistently identify Engelson as Markle’s first husband and cite the 2011 wedding date and a short marriage of roughly two to three years [1] [2] [3].
1. Who she was married to before Prince Harry
Meghan Markle’s first husband was Trevor Engelson, an American film producer and talent agent; nearly all background profiles and news summaries name Engelson as her pre-royal spouse and note his occupation in the entertainment industry [1] [2] [3].
2. The wedding date and location
Multiple sources report that Markle and Engelson married in 2011 at the Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, Jamaica — news and biographical write‑ups cite a tropical wedding in 2011 as the official nuptial event [1] [4] [5].
3. When the marriage ended — dates and discrepancies
Sources agree the marriage was short-lived but vary on the exact finalization date. Wikipedia and several news pieces state the couple “separated after approximately two years” and that a no‑fault divorce was granted in February 2014 [1]. Other outlets report the divorce as finalized in 2013 or describe separation occurring earlier, producing a commonly cited range of 2013–2014 for the end of the marriage [2] [3]. The discrepancy reflects differing reporting on separation versus legal finalization [1] [2].
4. Context: how the first marriage is framed in reporting
Profiles frame the Engelson marriage as a pre‑Hollywood chapter that preceded Markle’s rise on Suits and eventual relationship with Prince Harry; many articles emphasize it lasted roughly two years and followed a long dating period that began in the mid‑2000s [1] [6] [5]. Journalistic accounts often link geographic and career pressures — Markle’s Toronto filming of Suits and Engelson’s work in Los Angeles — as context for strain on the union [5].
5. Why some sources list slightly different dates
Different outlets treat “end of marriage” as either the separation date, the filing date, or the final divorce decree date. That approach produces small inconsistencies — some pieces say the divorce was finalized in 2013, others record February 2014 as the date of a no‑fault decree — even though all agree the wedding occurred in 2011 [1] [2] [3].
6. What sources do and don’t say about the split
Reporting cites “irreconcilable differences” as the legal basis in at least one source and quotes friends and biographers on the emotional aftermath, but detailed legal records or court filings are not provided in the linked reporting, and available sources do not mention the precise separation or filing timeline beyond the 2013–2014 window [1] [2] [6].
7. Alternative viewpoints and motives in coverage
Some tabloid and entertainment outlets frame the split with sensational detail or conflicting timelines [7] [8], while encyclopedic entries (Wikipedia, Britannica) and established biographies present a concise chronology (wedding 2011; separation ~2013; divorce 2013–14) [1] [3]. Entertainment outlets may emphasize drama for clicks; reference sources prioritize verifiable dates but may still reflect differing interpretations of “finalized” divorce [2] [3].
8. Bottom line for readers seeking a concise answer
In short: Meghan Markle was married to Trevor Engelson; they married in 2011 in Jamaica and the marriage ended within about two to three years, with most sources placing legal divorce resolution between 2013 and February 2014 [1] [2] [3]. If you need a single formal date for a record search, consult the cited encyclopedic or court records directly — the reporting consistently gives the 2011 wedding year and a 2013–2014 end window [1] [2] [3].