Star shares never-before-seen photo of Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, looks unrecognisable in an epic photo of her younger self, shared by a former acting colleague.

Meghan Markle, left, as you’ve never seen her before, pictured with music theatre star Katharine McPhee. Picture: Instagram

Meghan Markle is basically unrecognisable in possibly one of the most epic “throwback” photos of the new royal.

A young Duchess of Sussex features in a photo posed by musical theatre star, Katharine McPhee.

“Meghan and I did musicals together as kids,” McPhee wrote on Instagram.

“She grew up to be the Duchess of Sussex and I grew up to star on the West End, so same life if you ask me.”

Meghan Markle, left, and Katharine McPhee in McPhee’s epic Instagram throwback. Picture: Instagram
Well before her Suits or royal era, Markle, now 37, is shown with heavy makeup, red lipstick and thinner eyebrows, with a beaming smile.

It’s been a dramatic transformation for the pregnant Duchess, who sported a sophisticated look out in London today for an official engagement for the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

Arriving at the University of London, Markle wore a black Givenchy coat and pleated dress, Meghan had her hair pulled back in a bun — and neutral-coloured lips that were a far cry from that red lippy.

Meantime, former Smash starMcPhee, 34, is now engaged to legendary composer David Foster, 69.

Earlier this week, McPhee shut down a troll who called out the couple’s 35-year age gap.

McPhee took to Twitter this week to share an update on her upcoming nuptials, according to Fox News.

The Duchess of Sussex in London today. Picture: AP

She wore Givenchy to attend an official engagement at the University of London. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
“Picking your bridal party is like a real life MySpace top 8,” the 34-year-old joked on Twitter.

While most of the responses to the star’s tweet were positive, one user wrote back: “Except MySpace lasted longer than this marriage ever will @jessicaleighleigh.”

The Smash actor wasted no time responding to the commenter, writing: “I’m assuming it also lasted longer than any relationship you ever had with a hairdresser?”

The exchange was shared by the Instagram account @Commentsbycelebs.

The pregnant Duchess — who expecting her first child with Prince Harry — is believed to be due in April. Picture: Getty Images

She waved at the crowd as she attended an event for the Association of Commonwealth Universities. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
This is hardly the first time McPhee has had to defend her relationship with the famous music producer.

In July, the star defended her relationship, telling fans they should be “worrying more about registering to vote and midterm elections than who’s marrying me”.

A couple of months later, the musical couple spoke out about their age gap and said that they don’t care what people have to say about their age difference.

The former Hollywood star has had a dramatic transformation since joining the royal family. Picture: Getty Images
“It doesn’t make sense to a lot of people, but it does to us,” McPhee told People at the time. “He has things to learn from me and I have a lot of things to learn from him, so I think we have a nice yin and yang.”

The couple met for the first time in 2006 when the music master served as a mentor for the then-contestant on American Idol. After gaining fame post-American Idol, Foster helped to produce McPhee’s first single.