How a mysterious lottery win gave Meghan Markle this surprising jump into the British royal family

Before they married in 2018, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were seen together constantly. Photo: AP

When you win the lottery, it’s most unlikely your daughter could turn into a princess. Not many people know how this happened to actor Meghan Markle.

As you might know, British royal and former tearaway Prince Harry got married to "Suits" TV actor Meghan Markle in May 2018.

It was a world event, and now there’s baby Archie.

But it turns out there's an interesting background story to Meghan's rise to fame and stardom - and now royalty.

Meghan Markle rose to fame after landing a role in TV detective show Castle, in which she played a killer who dressed as Sleeping Beauty Photo: YouTube

But the surprise was how she climbed her career ladder. It happened very simply, like this.

Her father, Thomas Snr, won US$750,000 in the Californian State Lottery in 1990 when the actress was just nine years old.

And the win was enough to get her catapulted into many opportunities to advance her career. Her half-brother Tom Jnr, 51, says their father's win meant she got the best chance in life.

Meghan's step-brother Tom Jnr is seen here with his sister, aged 2 Photo: Supplied

"That money allowed Meg to go to the best schools and get the best training. Meg is someone who has always had laser focus.”

“She knows what she wants and she doesn't stop until she gets it," he said.

"She was always the family's princess but now she's going to be a real princess and I couldn't be more proud."

Actually, she won’t be able to call herself a princess because of the complicated succession and royal titles. She is officially a duchess.

Meghan Markle’s sorority photo during her 2000-2001 school year Photo: Northwestern University

As a result of the win, Meghan was able to attend the prestigious Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where she studied theatre and international studies.