Meghan Markle was Google's most searched actress of 2016.
While we'd love to attribute that to her stellar performance on the hit show Suits, it's probably
more likely that the world was just very curious about Prince Harry's girlfriend.
Months after news of their relationship hit the Internet, the power couple are still going
strong.
However, just because you're dating a prince, it doesn't mean that you're necessarily guaranteed
a happily ever after.
Here are some strange things you probably didn't know about one of the world's most
eligible bachelors and his leading lady.
The other man
It might have been love at first sight for the couple, but it all started with a pair
of wandering eyes.
According to The Telegraph, when the redheaded royal and Markle first met in May 2016, Markle
was dating Canadian chef Cory Vitiello.
Markle and her celebrity chef beau split the same month — and it was around that time
that she began her near-monthly transcontinental flights to London.
When asked whether Harry played a part in the couple's breakup, a source close to Vitiello
said, simply, "I can't comment on that."
Ouch.
To be fair, though: few can compete with a prince, especially a ruggedly handsome humanitarian
like Prince Harry.
Going public
A lot of couples officially announce their relationship with a sweet snap on Instagram
or Facebook status, but when you're royalty, apparently a simple social media post won't
suffice.
In November 2016, amid harsh coverage of Markle from the press, Prince Harry released a statement
via his communications director that confirmed his relationship — and told the public to
back off.
The statement came after some particularly vicious comments about her race, and said,
"Prince Harry is worried about Ms Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he
has not been able to protect her.
It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected
to such a storm.
He knows commentators will say this is 'the price she has to pay' and that 'this is all
part of the game.'
He strongly disagrees.
This is not a game — it is her life and his."
The statement was a highly unusual moment for a member of the Royal Family, proving
just how unconventional this relationship is shaping up to be — by Buckingham Palace
standards, anyway.
Dropping hints
Even though the press was initially kept in the dark about Markle and Harry's relationship,
all they really had to do was look at Markle's Instagram page for some helpful clues.
Indeed, for much of the summer and fall of 2016, Markle posted countless updates from
her trips to London, where, it turns out, she was spending time with her prince on the
sly.
Incidentally, on the exact day that news broke about their relationship, the actress took
to Instagram to post a photo of two bananas spooning.
"Sleep tight," the caption read, sending royal enthusiasts into a tizzy about its possible
meaning.
Markle doesn't just flaunt the relationship on social media.
In December 2016, she was spotted at a flower shop in Toronto with a necklace with the letters
"M" and "H."
For being one-half of a seemingly private couple, Markle is very eager to share bits
and pieces of her relationship with her prince beau.
Cashing in
In early November 2016, Markle released her clothing line for Canadian department store,
Reitmans, just days after the press reported on her royal romance.
The actress, who was also a Reitmans brand ambassador, designed two collections for the
retailer, both of which sold out.
Because, honestly, wouldn't want clothes designed by a potential future princess?
Despite the success of the line, the partnership was short-lived.
According to The Daily Mail, Markle abruptly ended her relationship with Reitmans in April
2017, even though she reportedly was offered a lot of money to renew her contract.
Apparently, she even went so far as to have her team reach out and tell the Canadian retailer
to stop associating her with the brand.
Prepping for a princess role
Markle has starred as Rachel Zane on Suits since 2011, but it seems like the seventh
season of the show might be her last.
According to an E! News source, the actress is "ready to be done with Suits … [and with]
acting in general.
Even before Harry, she was starting to think about transitioning out of acting.
She wants to focus on other worldly endeavors she is passionate about, like her philanthropy."
After how hard she fought to make it in the industry — including being the "girl who
ran out of gas on her way to an audition" — many suspected she wanted to leave her
racy role to establish a new image as a princess.
Need more proof?
Well, in April 2017, she shut down her lifestyle site The Tig as well.
In a letter that she penned for the website, she thanked her fans and "Tig friends" for
their support over the years.
Although some were quick to point out that this seemed like yet another thing that Markle
was giving up to be with Harry, a source from People said that the website had been a "full-time
job" and Markle was more interested in focusing on filming Suits and her humanitarian work.
In spite of what sources might say, from her clothing line to her career to her website,
it certainly does seem like Markle is slowly but surely realigning her public life to make
way for a life with the royals.
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