Marie Claire Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Diptyque
    • 2026 Beauty Awards
    • 'Carrie'
    • BÉIS x Rare Beauty
    • Top-Handle Bags
    1. Celebrity

    Here's the *Real* Story of How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Met

    Three words: Violet von Westenholz.

    By Mehera Bonner
    Published 25 January 2018 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Suit, Formal wear, White-collar worker, Tuxedo, Gesture, Blazer, Event, Businessperson, Outerwear, Electric blue,
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Here's what we know about how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met, straight from Meghan's lips to our ears: "It was definitely a set-up. It was a blind date. I didn't know much about him and so the only thing I had asked her when she said she wanted to set us up was, I had one question, I said 'Is he nice?'"

    RELATED STORIES

    The one big difference between how Meghan and Kate have their photos taken

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    The Difference Between Meghan and Kate's Photos

    Hair, Face, Hairstyle, Eyebrow, Forehead, Chin, Beauty, Nose, Lip, Cheek,

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Meghan Markle Breaks Royal Protocol in Wales

    Okay, great. So we know they were set up, but we don't know how, why, or by whom. In fact, Harry and Meghan refused to share their mysterious friend's identity, leading the internet to speculate that they were set up by either stylist Jessica Mulroney, or fashion designer Misha Nonoo. But according to E!, neither guess is correct.

    The outlet has it on good authority that Meghan and Harry were set up by Prince Harry's childhood friend Violet von Westenholz, who works in PR for Ralph Lauren. "Harry was having a really hard time finding anyone," E!'s "well-placed" source says. "It's hard enough finding someone new to date. He can hardly go on Tinder or a dating app like normal people, but to meet someone that you actually connect with, that was proving to be almost impossible."

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    Clothing, Tights, Fashion, Leggings, Jeans, Leg, Footwear, Outerwear, Room, Fashion design,

    Violet von Westenholz in 2011.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Enter Violet, who became friendly with Meghan thanks to her PR work. "Meghan had been a part of the London social scene for a while and had slotted into the high society set really easily," the source says. "And so when Harry told Violet he was having trouble finding someone, Violet said she might just have the perfect girl for him."

    So basically, Meghan has Ralph Lauren to thank for her Cinderella story. What a world!

    You may like
    • Princess Kate wears a navy blue satin dress as she announces her engagement to Prince William, who wears a suit Princess Kate "Had a Very Handsome Boyfriend" Before William
    • Princes William and Harry pose together on a couch wearing shirts and slacks Two People Might Bring Harry and William "Back Together"
    • Prince Harry smiling in front of a step and repeat Prince Harry’s Cousin Shares Thoughts on His “Exciting” Return to Britain
    RELATED STORY

    Fashion, Skin, Beauty, Hairstyle, Fashion model, Event, Human, Fashion design, Dress, White-collar worker,

    (Image credit: Design by Morgan McMullen)

    Shop Every One of Meghan Markle's Best Looks

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    Explore More
    Meghan Markle Prince Harry
    Mehera Bonner
    Social Links Navigation
    Entertainment Editor

    Mehera Bonner is a celebrity and entertainment news writer who enjoys Bravo and Antiques Roadshow with equal enthusiasm. She was previously entertainment editor at Marie Claire and has covered pop culture for over a decade.

    Read more
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle impersonators Rhys Whittock and Sarah Mhlanga posing with a copy of Spare
    Royals Prince Harry Lookalike Shares the Craziest Appearance He's Booked
    By Kristin Contino
    Princess Kate wears a navy blue satin dress as she announces her engagement to Prince William, who wears a suit
    Royals Princess Kate "Had a Very Handsome Boyfriend" Before William
    By Amy Mackelden
     
     
    Meghan Markle smiling and waving
    Royals Meghan Markle Is Reportedly Taking on One Hobby in England
    By Kristin Contino
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Christmas
    Royals Meghan and Harry Will Focus on One Relative This Christmas
    By Amy Mackelden
     
     
    Latest in Celebrity
    Meghan Markle As Ever UK
    Royals Meghan Markle Is Bringing As Ever To The U.K.—But Without This “Most-Loved” Product
    Princess Catherine etiquette trick
    Royals Princess Kate Is “All About Elegance” With This Simple Etiquette Trick, According To Expert
     
     
    Princess Margaret lady in waiting
    Royals Former Lady-in-Waiting Reveals Her “Wonderful Friend” Princess Margaret Had An Unusual Hobby
    Carole Middleton grandmother
    Royals Royal Expert Reveals “Practical” Carole Middleton Was “Filling the Freezer” At Forest Lodge
     
     
    Latest in News
    Meghan Markle As Ever UK
    Royals Meghan Markle Is Bringing As Ever To The U.K.—But Without This “Most-Loved” Product
    Princess Catherine etiquette trick
    Royals Princess Kate Is “All About Elegance” With This Simple Etiquette Trick, According To Expert
     
     
    Princess Margaret lady in waiting
    Royals Former Lady-in-Waiting Reveals Her “Wonderful Friend” Princess Margaret Had An Unusual Hobby
    Carole Middleton grandmother
    Royals Royal Expert Reveals “Practical” Carole Middleton Was “Filling the Freezer” At Forest Lodge
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.