When we talk about the Duchess of Sussex, the conversation usually orbits around Prince Harry, the Montecito mansion, or the latest royal rift. But before the tiaras and the global spotlight, there was a completely different life in Los Angeles. Honestly, most people forget that for nearly a decade, the man at the center of Meghan’s world wasn't a prince. It was Trevor Engelson.
He's a guy who has spent his entire career behind the lens, dodging the very limelight his ex-wife now occupies. You won't find him giving tell-all interviews to Oprah. He doesn't have a podcast where he "unpacks" his trauma.
Instead, he’s become a bit of a Hollywood ghost—a highly successful one, sure, but a ghost nonetheless.
Who exactly is Trevor Engelson?
Born in Great Neck, New York, in 1976, Trevor Engelson is a quintessential Hollywood "player" in the best sense of the word. He’s a film producer and talent manager. He founded his own production company, Underground, back in 2001. If you’ve ever seen the FX hit Snowfall, you’ve seen his work. He’s also the guy behind the 2010 Robert Pattinson drama Remember Me.
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Actually, that movie is a weird little footnote in history.
Meghan actually had a small cameo in it as a bartender named "Meghan." It was a classic "producer's girlfriend" perk. At that time, they were the ultimate L.A. power couple in the making. He was the ambitious producer; she was the struggling actress looking for her big break.
They met in 2004. They were young, hungry, and by all accounts, very much in love. They dated for seven years—an eternity in Hollywood—before finally tying the knot in 2011. The wedding wasn't at St. George’s Chapel. It was a four-day party at the Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios.
Think bare feet, yellow polka-dot bikinis, and wheelbarrow races on the beach. It was about as far from "royal" as you can get.
The Suits Factor: Why the Marriage Actually Ended
Everyone wants a scandalous reason for a divorce. People love to speculate about "irreconcilable differences" as code for something juicy. But the truth about Meghan Markle ex husband and their split is actually much more relatable—and a little sad.
The catalyst was a little show called Suits.
Literally months after their wedding, Meghan landed the role of Rachel Zane. It was the break she had spent years chasing. The problem? The show filmed in Toronto. Trevor was based in Los Angeles.
Suddenly, the newlyweds were living thousands of miles apart.
The Long-Distance Struggle
While Meghan was becoming a star in Canada, Trevor was still grinding in California.
- She was making new friends and living a high-fashion life.
- He was still the same guy in the same city.
- The power dynamic shifted almost overnight.
By the time 2013 rolled around, the distance had done its work. They separated in August of that year. The divorce was finalized in 2014. It was quiet. It was efficient. And, according to royal biographer Andrew Morton, it was a "bolt from the blue" for Trevor.
There’s a famous, somewhat brutal story that Meghan sent her diamond engagement and wedding rings back to Trevor via registered mail. Neither has ever confirmed this. But in the world of Hollywood breakups, it’s the kind of detail that sticks.
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Life After the "M-Word"
When the news broke in 2017 that Meghan was marrying Prince Harry, the world's media descended on Trevor Engelson. He could have made millions. He could have written a book or sat for a primetime special.
He didn't.
He stayed silent. In fact, people close to him say that the "M-word" is basically banned in his social circle. He isn't interested in being the "famous ex."
A New Chapter with Tracey Kurland
Fast forward to 2026, and Trevor is living a life that many would argue is "richer" than his previous one—literally and figuratively. In 2019, he married Tracey Kurland, a nutritionist and heiress to a massive multi-million dollar fortune.
They live in a stunning home in Beverly Hills, only about 80 miles away from Harry and Meghan. They have three children now: Ford, Sienna, and a son, Logan, who arrived in early 2025.
While the Sussexes are constantly under the microscope, Trevor is hosting "ethereal" parties at his sanctuary of a home, far from the paparazzi's reach. He’s still producing. He’s still managing talent. He just happens to be incredibly wealthy and remarkably private.
What we can learn from the Trevor and Meghan Story
It’s easy to paint one person as the villain and the other as the victim. Life is rarely that simple.
The reality is that Meghan Markle ex husband represents a chapter of her life that was defined by ambition and the struggle to "make it." When she finally did, the life she had built with Trevor no longer fit the person she was becoming.
- Ambition has a cost. Sometimes professional success comes at the expense of personal stability.
- Silence is a power move. Trevor’s refusal to trash-talk his ex-wife has earned him massive respect in an industry that loves to gossip.
- Moving on is the best revenge. If you can call it revenge. He’s happy, successful, and has a beautiful family.
If you're ever feeling stuck in the "what could have been," look at Trevor Engelson. He went from being "the guy who lost a future royal" to a Hollywood heavyweight with a life most people would envy.
He didn't need a crown to get his happy ending.
Practical Next Steps:
If you're interested in the business side of Hollywood, look up Trevor's production company, Underground. It’s a great case study on how to build a sustainable career in talent management and production without relying on tabloid fame. You might also want to check out the series Snowfall to see the kind of gritty, high-quality content he’s actually passionate about.