While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s move to the United States caused a global stir, they were not the first royal couple to establish a life across the Atlantic. Lord Frederick Windsor, son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and currently 52nd in line to the throne, and his American actress wife, Sophie Winkleman, were the forerunners. Their move to Los Angeles, California, occurred shortly after their modest 2009 wedding at Hampton Court’s Great Hall, predating Harry and Meghan’s relocation by nearly a decade.

Sophie Winkleman, known for her roles as Big Suze in “Peep Show” and Zoey in “Two and a Half Men,” initially returned to her acting career in Los Angeles, while Lord Frederick worked as a Vice President and later Executive Director at JPMorgan Chase, eventually relocating back to London in 2015. Their time in the United States also saw the birth of their first daughter, Maud Elizabeth Daphne Marina, in Los Angeles in 2013. Their second daughter, Isabella Alexandra May, was born in London in 2016, and both girls later attended the same school as Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Sophie has consistently expressed her positive experiences marrying into the British Royal Family, describing interactions with senior royals like the Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince William as “wonderful” and “heavenly.” She noted their supportive nature, even regarding her acting career. This warmth extended to personal hardships, as Sophie recounted the care and support she received from the royal family, including visits from Sophie Wessex and flowers from the Cambridges, following a serious car accident in 2017.

Despite their initial move to the United States, Sophie has remained connected to the British Royal Family, attending significant events such as Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and her funeral. She was also present at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton and even performed a song at her sister-in-law Lady Gabriella’s wedding in 2019. Her continued presence at royal gatherings underscores her integration and acceptance within the family.

In conclusion, while Harry and Meghan’s move to America captured significant public attention, Lord Frederick Windsor and Sophie Winkleman paved the way as the first royal couple to establish a life in the United States after their marriage. Their journey, balancing royal life with Sophie’s acting career and Lord Frederick’s professional endeavors, demonstrates an earlier instance of a royal couple navigating a life that spanned both the United Kingdom and America, all while maintaining positive relationships with the wider royal family.