Meghan Markle has this rare thing in common with Prince Harry’s ex Cressida Bonas

Meghan Markle, 37, has taken the world by storm, becoming the most talked about woman in the world and a member of the Royal Family.

The Duchess has created the “Markle Sparkle”, influencing fashion and beauty trends across the globe.

Along with her fame and Royal status, Meghan can now add another accomplishment to her name, being Tatler’s Girl of the Year 2018.

Meghan shares her win with another woman linked to her husband, Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriend, Cressida Bonas.

Meghan also shares the accolade from the high-society magazine with Pippa Middleton and her husband’s cousin, Lady Kitty Spencer.

Given just once a year it’s a rare title that all of these women now share, with Meghan being an unusual recipient of the award.

Announcing the Duchess’ win on its website, Tatler detailed: “There was only ever one option for Tatler’s Girl of the Year 2018 really, wasn’t there?”

Making it clear how Meghan is different from previous winners, the publication continued: “A departure from some of the Girls who come earlier on the list – who are variously toffs, mischief-makers and social media mavens, and included the likes of Cara Delevingne, Lady Mary Charteris and Pippa Middleton – Meghan Markle is none of the above, although she is nonetheless worthy of the accolade.”

Writing about the 37-year-old Duchess for the issue, David Jenkins states she has “that indefinable, unmissable quality that makes [her] the one for whom heads turn, over whom hearts are broken and for whom everything is forgiven, and with whom, everyone – but everyone – is desperate to be, right here, right now, and forever.”

Showing even more love for the Duchess, Tatler also names Megan on its best-dressed list last month, raving about her Givenchy wedding dress.

“Prince Harry’s Californian bride blew us away with her Givenchy wedding dress and has redefined modern royal style with every subsequent appearance,” the magazine gushed.

The news that Meghan was Girl of the Year was announced in the September issue of Tatler, featuring Harry’s cousin Lady Amelia Windsor on the cover alongside rugby star Maro Itoje.

Meghan will no doubt be surrounded by more Tatler Girls of the Year when she attends the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank next month.

Eugenie is good friends with Cressida, believed to have actually set her up with Prince Harry many years ago.

Model and socialite Cara Delevinge is also expected to attend the nuptials, another recipient of the high-society accolade. 

One ex of Prince Harry’s who could be attending the wedding of Princess Eugenie is Harry’s long-term girlfriend Chelsy Davy.

Although Harry and Chelsy called time on their relationship in 2011, Eugenie has remained firm friends with Chelsy, who dated her cousin for over six years.

Ellie Goulding is also expected to be in attendance at St George’s Chapel on 12 October, again close with Jack and Eugenie.

Prince Harry’s rumoured relationship with bestselling pop singer Ellie Goulding is a little more complicated.

The pair is said to have met when Ellie Goulding performed at Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton.

Who is Meghan Markle? Quick profile

Meghan Markle was born Rachel Meghan Markle, on August 4, 1981 to parents Doria Ragland and father Thomas Markle.

Her father was previously married to Roslyn Loveless and Meghan has two elder half sibling – sister Samantha Markle and brother Thomas Markle Junior.

Actress

Meghan’s first television appearance in the USA was in an episode of the medical drama General Hospital in 2002.

She later moved on to roles in CSI, Without a Trace and Castle along with bit parts in Hollywood films including Get Him to the Greek, Remember Me and Horrible Bosses.

Meghan was also a “briefcase girl” on Deal or No Deal – but her most famous role was as Rachel Zane in legal drama Suits, which launched in 2011.

She was written out in the finale of the seventh series when her character got married, which aired in April 2018 – just before she got married herself.

Charity and humanitarian work

Meghan Markle’s career in television has gone hand-in-hand with her support for causes close to her heart.

She wrote about the stigma around menstrual health in an article for Time magazine and was a Global Ambassador for World Vision Canada – with whom she travelled to Rwanda for the charity’s Clean Water Campaign.

And her commitment to gender equality has seen her work with the United Nations – receiving a standing ovation in 2015 for her speech to mark International Women’s Day.

Relationships

In September 2011, she wed film producer Trevor Engelson, who she began dating in 2004.

But the pair divorced two years later in August 2013, citing irreconcilable difference.

She was in a relationship with celebrity chef Cory Vitiello for almost two years, before they broke it off in 2016 but the two remain good friends.

And in June 2016, she met Prince Harry on a blind date set up by a mutual friend.

Their relationship began in October that year and just over one year later, on November 27, 2017, the pair announced their engagement.

They married on May 19, 2018 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Meghan’s heritage

Some have claimed Meghan Markle is the first mixed-race member of the Royal Family.

Historians are still arguing about Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III.

But Meghan will be the first royal to openly embrace a mixed-race heritage.

She has written about the difficulties of being a biracial actress in Hollywood as she claims she is not black enough for some roles and not white enough for others.