Meghan Markle was an intern for the US embassy in Argentina. But you probably didn't hear about that

Meghan Markle, the actor who recently became engaged to a member of the British royal family, once worked as an intern at the US embassy in Argentina.

This part of her CV was revealed during an interview with Marie Claire in 2013.

Markle, the star of Suits, did a double major in Theatre and International Relations at Northwestern University; a prestigious school that in 2017 accepted just 9 per cent of undergraduate applicants. She graduated in 2003 in the Communication cohort.

Speaking to Vogue in 2013, Markle told the magazine how at the age of 20, and reportedly short of credits to complete her junior year, she successfully applied for an internship at the US embassy in Buenos Aires 'for a few months'.

It was their economic devaluation and our Secretary of the Treasury at the time, Paul O'Neill, was there, so I'm 20 years old, in Buenos Aires, in a motorcade, doing that whole thing. I thought for sure I would still have a career in politics.

She added that working in the embassy 'rooted' her 'performance' as Rachel Zane, the character she owned for 103 episodes of Suits.

After she returned to Los Angeles Markle met a manager who had been impressed by her work in a student film, and her journey into politics was put on hold.

Markle's acting has also involved activism, including work as an ambassador for World Vision, as an advocate for the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, and as an ambassador for One Young World. As recently as 2015, Markle gave the annual address to the UN Women Conference, to mark that year's International Women's Day.

Writing for her website The Tig, Markle penned the thoughtful How to be Both. In it she describes her visit to Rwanda for World Vision's clean water campaign, meeting the country's female parliamentarians, and speaking to women leaders in the country's refugee camps.

Describing the disconnect between her politics and show business, Markle wrote:

My brain, heart and spirit couldn’t shift gears that quickly – from the purpose-driven work I had been doing all week in Rwanda, to the glitz and glamour of an award show – plus the pomp and circumstance that comes with it.

If you are feeling under qualified, join the club.

As Vogue has pointed out, many headlines following the engagement alluded to skills listed on Markle's pre-Suits acting CV, such as 'juggling' and 'stripping' rather than any of her other achievements.

Other headlines looked to her former careers; such as her freelance calligraphy work for Dolce & Gabbana's celebrity correspondence, or her single appearance as a briefcase model on Deal or No Deal.

Finding coverage which focuses on her achievements, without expressing 'cor blimey she's done well (given her background)' are few and far between.

Speaking to Vogue on a USO tour to Afghanistan in 2014 with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Markle said;

I’ve never wanted to be a lady who lunches. I’ve always wanted to be a woman who works.

HT Vogue, Daily Northernwestern Marie Curie

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