Before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made headlines by moving to the United States, another royal couple had already blazed that trail. Lord Frederick Windsor, son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and 52nd in line to the throne, and his American actress wife, Sophie Winkleman, relocated to Los Angeles shortly after their modest 2009 wedding at Hampton Court’s Great Hall—nearly ten years before Harry and Meghan’s move.
Sophie, known for roles such as Big Suze in Peep Show and Zoey in Two and a Half Men, resumed her acting career in Los Angeles while Lord Frederick worked in finance, serving as Vice President and later Executive Director at JPMorgan Chase before returning to London in 2015. Their time in the U.S. included 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 spoken warmly about her experiences joining the British Royal Family, describing interactions with senior royals—including the Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince William—as “wonderful” and “heavenly.” She also praised their support of her acting career. The family’s kindness extended during difficult times, with Sophie receiving visits and thoughtful gestures, such as flowers from the Cambridges, after a serious car accident in 2017.
Despite their initial life in the U.S., Sophie remains closely connected to the royal family, attending major events like Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, her funeral, and the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. She even performed at her sister-in-law Lady Gabriella’s wedding in 2019, highlighting her continued integration within the royal circle.
In summary, while Harry and Meghan’s move captured widespread attention, Lord Frederick Windsor and Sophie Winkleman were the first royal couple to build a life in America after marriage. Their journey reflects an earlier example of balancing royal duties, career ambitions, and family life across two continents—all while maintaining strong ties with the wider royal family.
