August 4, 1981

In London the Queen Mother celebrates her 81st birthday alongside the Queen . . . . . . In Los Angeles her proud father tenderly cradles newborn Meghan Markle – a future royal princess

Two extraordinary pictures, which tell a truly extraordinary story. In the first, the Queen and her mother, marking the 81st birthday of a woman whose indomitable spirit helped steady a nation through war. In the other, 6,000 miles away, a California dad on his second marriage, gazing at the newborn daughter who’s just been laid in his arms – a momentous occasion for him, but not one that would warrant any headlines.

Now, 37 years later, those tales have merged. That baby girl, Meghan Markle, is about to marry the Queen’s grandson Prince Harry, and to celebrate their wedding next month we’re presenting three sparkling souvenir editions of Weekend magazine. They begin today with remarkable unseen photographs of the future princess over ten dazzling pages, revealing her charming childhood innocence, her first steps in showbusiness – and the stunning figure that turned Harry’s head.

Then the Mail’s David Jones brings you the full, untold story of Meghan’s astonishing rise from humble beginnings to Hollywood actress and royalty. He spent months talking to her relatives, friends and childhood acquaint- ances to learn how she overcame racism and her parents’ divorce, how she spent years ‘on the hustle’ trying to forge a career, and how her childhood fascination with Princess Diana – Harry’s mother, who married Prince Charles just six days before Meghan was born – inspired her determination to campaign for those less fortunate than herself.

Much has already been written about Meghan Markle, but this fabulous series paints the most complete portrait yet. Don’t miss next Saturday’s Mail for part two.