{"id":990651,"date":"2026-10-29T10:56:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T14:56:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/?post_type=articles&p=990651"},"modified":"2026-10-29T10:57:49","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T14:57:49","slug":"from-apple-employee-to-athletes-the-surprisingly-normal-jobs-kate-middleton-meghan-markle-and-other-royals-once-had","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/from-apple-employee-to-athletes-the-surprisingly-normal-jobs-kate-middleton-meghan-markle-and-other-royals-once-had\/","title":{"rendered":"From Apple Employee to Olympic Swimmer: The Surprisingly Normal Jobs Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, and Other Royals Once Had"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive for the first day of the Cheltenham Festival. (Photo by Barry Batchelor – PA Images\/PA Images via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive for the first day of the Cheltenham Festival. (Photo by Barry Batchelor – PA Images\/PA Images via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before the tiaras, palace balconies and royal engagements, many of the world\u2019s most famous royals had surprisingly ordinary careers. From Kate Middleton\u2019s job in fashion to Queen Rania\u2019s time at Apple, these future princesses and queens once navigated office meetings, deadlines and demanding bosses.<\/p>\n

Some abandoned their careers after marrying into royalty, while others continue working today. Here are the surprising jobs royals held before joining the monarchy.<\/p>\n

Kate Middleton: Fashion Accessories Buyer<\/h2>\n

Before becoming the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton worked as an accessories buyer for British fashion brand Jigsaw. She also helped run her parents\u2019 party-supply business, Party Pieces. Her experience in retail and business came long before her royal responsibilities and charitable work.<\/p>\n

Meghan Markle: Actress and Lifestyle Blogger<\/h2>\n

Before marrying Prince Harry, Meghan Markle built a successful acting career in Hollywood. After appearances on Deal or No Deal and television series including 90210, she landed her breakthrough role in Suits. She also founded lifestyle blog The Tig and worked with humanitarian organizations.<\/p>\n

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh: PR Executive<\/h2>\n

Sophie built her career in public relations, working at Capital Radio before co-founding RJH Public Relations. Her communications experience preceded her marriage to Prince Edward and her transition into full-time royal duties.<\/p>\n

Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice: Art and Technology<\/h2>\n
\"\"
LONDON, ENGLAND – Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie attend a Christmas Lunch for members of the Royal Family, hosted by King Charles III, at Buckingham Palace on December 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Max Mumby\/Indigo\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Unlike senior working royals, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice have maintained professional careers. Eugenie works in contemporary art, having held a directorial role at Hauser & Wirth, while Beatrice has worked in finance and technology, including at Afiniti.<\/p>\n

Queen Rania of Jordan: Apple Marketing Executive<\/h2>\n

Before marrying King Abdullah II, Queen Rania of Jordan studied business administration and worked at Citibank and Apple in Jordan. Her corporate background helped shape her later advocacy for education, technology and economic opportunity.<\/p>\n

Queen M\u00e1xima of the Netherlands: Investment Banker<\/h2>\n

Queen M\u00e1xima worked in international finance before marrying King Willem-Alexander. Her banking experience continues to influence her work promoting financial inclusion and economic development worldwide.<\/p>\n

Queen Letizia of Spain: Television Journalist<\/h2>\n

Before becoming Spain\u2019s queen, Queen Letizia of Spain was an accomplished journalist and television news anchor. She worked for major Spanish news organizations, including TVE, covering important national and international events before leaving journalism for royal life.<\/p>\n

Queen Mary of Denmark: Advertising Professional<\/h2>\n

Born in Australia, Queen Mary studied commerce and law before pursuing a career in advertising and marketing. She worked for several agencies before meeting Crown Prince Frederik at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.<\/p>\n

Queen Mathilde of Belgium: Speech Therapist<\/h2>\n

Before marrying King Philippe, Queen Mathilde trained as a speech therapist and operated her own practice. Her professional experience connects closely with her ongoing interest in children’s wellbeing and mental health.<\/p>\n

Princess Charlene of Monaco: Olympic Swimmer<\/h2>\n

Princess Charlene represented South Africa in competitive swimming, including at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Her athletic background continues to inspire her charitable work promoting water safety.<\/p>\n

Princess Sofia of Sweden: Model and Yoga Instructor<\/h2>\n

Before marrying Prince Carl Philip, Princess Sofia worked as a model, appeared on reality television and studied in New York, where she also taught yoga.<\/p>\n

Grace Kelly: Oscar-Winning Actress<\/h2>\n

Perhaps the most famous royal career change belongs to Grace Kelly. The Hollywood actress starred in Rear Window and won an Academy Award for The Country Girl before retiring at 26 to marry Prince Rainier III of Monaco.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42690,"featured_media":990694,"template":"","format":"standard","categories":[8169,23,16],"yoast_head":"\nFrom Apple Employee to Olympic Swimmer: The Surprisingly Normal Jobs Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, and Other Royals Once Had - Grazia USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/from-apple-employee-to-athletes-the-surprisingly-normal-jobs-kate-middleton-meghan-markle-and-other-royals-once-had\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"From Apple Employee to Olympic Swimmer: The Surprisingly Normal Jobs Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, and Other Royals Once Had\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Before the tiaras, palace balconies and royal engagements, many of the world\u2019s most famous royals had surprisingly ordinary careers. 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