When Prince Charles stepped in at the 11th hour to walk Meghan Markle down the aisle at her royal wedding to Prince Harry, the whole world swooned.
But giving away his soon-to-be daughter-in-law would have been a no brainer for charming Prince Charles, who appears to have shared a close bond with Meghan from day dot.
Prince Charles and Meghan are known to have a close relationship. (Image: Getty)
It all started back in November 2016 when Meghan and Harry’s secret relationship became public knowledge.
That very month, Meghan reportedly met Harry’s family, which is where she and Charles first crossed paths.
A source told Woman’s Day that Meghan’s first priority was winning over her future father-in-law.
And according to the source, she had no trouble in doing so: “Harry was very touched by how welcoming Charles was to Meghan who, though confident, must have found adapting to royal life hugely intimidating. Charles played a huge part in making her feel at home,” they explained.
Clearly off to a running start with her soon-to-be in-laws, things could only get better from here for Meghan. And lucky for us, we’ve been able to witness a number of the special moments.
Here, we take a look at all the times Meghan and Prince Charles have proved they’re the best of chums (and sent our hearts melting!)
READ MORE: Prince Charles on becoming King: “There are so many things that need to be done”
Charles walks Meghan down the aisle
Ahead of the royal wedding in May 2018, Meghan and Harry’s fans across the world were concerned when it was revealed the duchesses dad, Thomas Markle, would miss his daughter’s wedding.
It was a tumultuous time for the royals, with eagle-eyed spectators watching and scrutinising Meghan and Harry’s every move in the lead up to their big day.
Luckily, Charles was there to take the stress away – it was confirmed that he would be walking Meghan down the aisle by Kensington Palace the night before the wedding – needless to say, royal fans breathed a big sigh of relief.
On the day of the wedding, it was only too clear how thrilled Charles was to see his son marry Markle.
“Are you all right? You look lovely,” Charles is believed to have whispered to her as the pair prepared to walk down the aisle.
Watch the beautiful moment below:
Story continues after video…
He has an adorable nickname for Meghan
In a moment that delighted royal fans across the world, Prince Charles’s nickname for Meghan was revealed, and it only solidified our belief that the pair were getting on like a house on fire.
According to the Mail On Sunday, Charles calls her “Tungsten” after the rare metal because she’s “tough and unbending just like the very strong metal.”
We can’t argue with that, Meghan was faced with a plethoria of royal regulations and rules, not to mention a global fan base that followed her every move when she started dating Prince Harry – it would take a hardy person to remain as poised as she has throughout all of it.
The insider explained: “Prince Charles admires Meghan for her strength and the backbone she gives Harry, who needs a tungsten-type figure in his life as he can be a bit of a softy. It’s become a term of endearment,” an insider explained to the publication.
Charles even has a fond nickname for his daughter-in-law! (Image: Getty)
He’s very fond of Meghan’s mum
To further cement his and Meghan’s solid relationship, it’s become very apparent that Charles holds a high amount of respect for her mother, Doria Ragland.
A source said on the day of Harry and Meghan’s wedding that his first priority was to make sure Doria felt comfortable and part of the festivities.
“Harry was overwhelmed when he saw his dad on the steps of the church with Doria on one arm and Camilla on the other,” the source said.
“The rest of the family have noticed a real shift in Harry and Charles’ relationship after all this time, and it’s all because of Meghan and her mum breathing new life into the palace.”
Charles and Meghan’s mother Doria struck up a close bond which became apparent following Meghan and Harry’s wedding in May. (Image: Getty)
What’s more, it’s clear that it’s not only Charles that holds Doria in high stead. Earlier in November, it was revealed the Queen herself had invited Doria to spend Christmas with the royal family at Sandringham.
Doria is said to have been invited as a ‘mark of respect’ by Her Majesty.
He has a “soft spot” for the Duchess
Following the wedding, a royal insider told Vanity Fair that Charles has a “lovely relationship with the duchess”, and that he has been very supportive of Meghan and everything she is going through with her own father”.
To add to this, a few days after the wedding the pair were seen laughing together, according to Hello!
The source confirmed their bond, saying: “He’s got a real soft spot for her and thinks she’s the best thing to have happened to Harry.”
He’s given her a thoughtful gift
While on her recent tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand, Meghan was spotted several times wearing a bracelet that was reportedly gifted to the Duchess by Prince Charles ahead of her wedding.
Meghan stepped off the plane in Fiji looking stunning in a Zimmerman dress, and sporting a diamond bracelet gifted to her by her father-in-law. (Image: Getty)
The Duchess was spotted sporting the bracelet again at an evening soiree in Tonga. (Image: Getty)
He doesn’t judge her ‘dysfunctional’ family
The Mail on Sunday recently reported that Charles and Meghan have forged a ‘remarkable’ bond due to their dysfunctional family backgrounds, with a source from his inner circle stating that the Prince of Wales is sympathetic and recognised that his own family has endured “so many traumas and crises… and many divorces” of its own.
“Because there’s been bad behaviour that’s caused problems in his family, Charles understands how difficult it must be for Meghan. And it has endeared her to him even more.”
According to the source, Camilla has also taken warmly to Meghan.
“Camilla goes out of her way to find time to spend with her, to get to know her and make her feel welcome.”
Want more on Prince Charles’ 70th birthday? Check out our full coverage here!
Prince Charles’ biggest royal scandals to date
Prince Charles’ best moments with Prince William and Prince Harry
EXCLUSIVE: The Weekly’s 70th birthday interview with Prince Charles
Prince Charles’ most handsome moments of all time… Yes, you read that right!
