Meghan Markle’s Hallmark Co-Star Knew She Was Destined For More Than Acting

Even when she was a kid, Meghan Markle had qualities that made people pay attention. Illise Faye, Meghan’s former teacher, was impressed that as a student, Meghan would advocate on behalf of her classmates. “She would stand up for what she believed in, and she was a leader among her friends,” Faye explained on the True Royalty TV documentary “Meghan for President?”  

Meghan also supported causes like gender equality as a child. When she was 11, the Duchess of Sussex wrote a letter to Procter & Gamble in response to a dish soap commercial that came across as sexist. She was motivated to continue her activism when, approximately a month later, the company changed the line from “women” to “people.” Meghan later recounted this experience in 2015 while serving as a UN Women’s Advocate for Women’s Political Participation and Leadership. 

Meghan’s family also played a big role in introducing her to philanthropy as a kid. The duchess recalled seeing her parents participate by donating food to homeless shelters and giving their time to individuals in hospice care. As Meghan reached adulthood and enjoyed success as an actor, she used her good fortune as a springboard to get involved with causes close to her heart. “With fame comes opportunity, but it also includes responsibility,” Meghan wrote in Elle in 2016.