Meghan Markle Reconnects with Roots in Malta

In 2015, before her life with Prince Harry began, Meghan Markle took a trip to Malta to explore her ancestry. Excited and eager to reconnect with her roots, she described the journey as an effort to understand her identity. “It felt like home,” she said after her three-day visit.

This was long before her recent trip to Nigeria, where she embraced her Nigerian heritage. Back in 2015, Meghan, then an actress on “Suits,” visited Malta, the land of her great-great-grandmother. She toured the island’s historic sites, including Mdina and Casa Rocca Piccola, where she even tried on a traditional Maltese cloak.

Meghan shared her experiences on her now-defunct blog, The Tig, praising Malta’s hospitality and cuisine. Her trip was filled with cultural exploration, luxury stays, and visits to vineyards, all organized by the Malta Tourism Authority. Photographer Kurt Arrigo, who accompanied her, recalled her as down-to-earth and easy to work with, though not widely recognized at the time.

Staying at the boutique hotel Casa Ellul, Meghan enjoyed views of Valletta and relished the island’s food and wine. She visited St. John’s Co-Cathedral, admired Caravaggio’s masterpieces, and appreciated the local culture.

Despite a rich, albeit brief, connection to Malta through her great-great-grandmother Mary Bird, Meghan didn’t delve deeply into archival research during her stay. Instead, she followed a curated itinerary, soaking in the island’s charm.

Reflecting on her trip, Meghan expressed how the Maltese people made her feel welcome and at home. Though she hasn’t returned to Malta since her rise to global fame, her visit remains a fond memory, highlighting her early efforts to trace her heritage and connect with her family’s past.