Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Looked at Each Other's Instagrams Before They Met
"Amazingly for a royal romance, it started on Instagram..."
We already know that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were introduced by a mutual female friend, thought to be either Violet von Westenholz or designer Misha Nonoo—but in a modern twist, it appears that the whole thing started on Instagram. Per royal commentator Katie Nicholl, who is featured Channel 5's new documentary about Meghan Markle, the couple did a little Instagram stalking before asking a mutual friend (who Nicholl says was von Westenholz, not Nonoo) to introduce them.
Said Nicholl, per The Sun: "Amazingly for a royal romance, it started on Instagram." She went on to note that Meghan and Harry reportedly looked through each other's Instagrams and liked what they saw. After that, "it was Violet who really brought them together."
But wait, I hear you say—Prince Harry had an Instagram account? Well, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand revealed in 2020's Finding Freedom that Harry had used the username "@SpikeyMau5" on Instagram, a reference to his nickname "Spikey" (he also used the alias "Spike Wells" on Facebook). It's not clear what kind of content Harry posted, but the account's avatar was a Deadmau5-style mouse ear helmet.
Meghan began following the account in 2016. "With no face visible in the profile photo, just a mouse-shaped helmet, it would have meant nothing to most people. But it was in fact Harry’s private account," wrote Scobie and Durand.
In a BBC interview following their engagement, Meghan revealed the question she asked the friend who introduced them. She said: "I didn’t know much about him. So I only asked one question—is he nice? If he wasn’t kind it didn’t seem like it would make sense to me."
Meghan, of course, had an Instagram account until she joined the royal family. Scobie and Durand revealed in Finding Freedom that she had posted a telling photo on the evening of her first date with Harry.
They wrote: “Much bolder was Meghan’s public Instagram post the same night of their first solo date: a photo of a Love Hearts candy with the inscription ‘Kiss Me’ and the caption ‘Lovehearts in #London’."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
RELATED STORIES
-
Keke Palmer Says “Walking Away Is the Only Way” After Opening up About “Unhealthy” Relationship
"It was the hardest thing I ever had to go through," the star wrote in her new book.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Adele's Custom Gown Is a "Bridge Between Worlds"—and a Milestone First
Gaurav Gupta exclusively takes 'Marie Claire' inside its making.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
It Seems Like We Could Return to the Pods Soon—Here's What We Know About 'Love Is Blind' Season 8
Some fans even think they've figured out where Netflix is looking for its next set of romantic hopefuls.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Mike Tindall Says "Pretending to Punch" Prince Harry Got Him into a Ton of Trouble
"Loads of trolls went in on Mike, especially about him wanting to hit a young, defenseless Harry."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Why a Phone Call Warning of an Impending "Apocalypse" on Halloween 2016 Changed Everything for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
"Well, we said, staring anxiously at our phones, it was going to happen eventually."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William Will Reportedly Snub Royal Family's Christmas if This Family Member Is Invited
The Prince of Wales is apparently "nervous" they might show up this year.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
King Charles Is "Happy" He Can "Quietly Ask" Princess Eugenie About Prince Harry
"The King is probably happy that Harry still has at least one royal cousin he clearly trusts."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Reveals How Meghan Markle Is Different From Other Royal Women in Viral TikTok
The Duke of Sussex is always ready to defend his wife.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince William Shares Rare Comments About Princess Diana and Prince Harry in New Documentary
"She took Harry and I both there... And I was a bit anxious as to what to expect."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Has Beat Out David Beckham and Channing Tatum on 'Hottest Men of All Time' List
Gingers for the win.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
King Charles and Queen Camilla Just Recreated Meghan and Harry's Famous Sydney Opera House Photo
They're channeling the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Australia.
By Amy Mackelden Published