The "other" man in Meghan Markle's life
Waiter turned consultant, he is the Duchess of Sussex's most intimate and discreet friend
There has been a long talk about the glittering gang of friends that Meghan Markle (37) added sideways in her landing at the British court: it includes Hollywood stars, such as Priyanka Chopra (36) or George Clooney (57) -who, by the way, it has become his protective shield against the onslaught of the media-; sports aces such as tennis player Serena Williams (37); and a stylist, Jessica Mulroney (39), who emerged from the dark television scenes to become a celebrity as soon as the ex-actress's betrothal to Enrique from England was announced.
However, it is not exactly Mulroney who is closest to the Duchess of Sussex today. With the permission of the discreet Doria Ragland (62), Meghan's mother, who, given the imminent birth of the royal couple's first baby, has already settled with her daughter and son-in-law in the new home of Frogmore Cottage (Windsor), The person who truly "covers her back" for the Duchess is tall, handsome, and quite discreet. So much so, that despite his size, few bothered to point out when he was seen arm in arm with Markle on the streets of New York, where Prince Harry's wife traveled weeks ago for a party in honor of her baby.
Extensive contacts
We are talking about Markus Anderson, a consultant for Soho House - an elite hotel and private club chain - whose low profile allows him to have a truly extensive and exclusive contact list. It is known to all that when their courtship was not yet public, Meghan and Harry repeatedly took refuge in various Soho House to go unnoticed, always under Anderson's protection. But how exactly does she fit into the life of the current Duchess of Sussex?
The job of Markus Anderson, who has a Canadian passport, is to prepare the launches of Soho House branches around the world. “When Soho House decides to open in a new city, I am one of the first people sent to know the destination and the creatives who live there, as well as decide with whom we want to interact. I also collaborate with the Toronto Film Festival or Art Basel Miami ”, he declared in one of his few interviews.
Markus started out as a waiter in London's Soho, before moving up to executive positions. Beyond Meghan Markle, his best friends also include designer Christopher Kane (36), presenter and influencer Alexa Chung (35) and actor Jamie Dornan (36).
"What would I do without you?"
Anderson met Markle in 2012, when the executive returned to her hometown of Toronto, precisely where the future Duchess filmed the series "Suits." According to "People" magazine, they immediately hit it off and became close friends. Meghan once wrote about Anderson on her defunct Instagram account: 'What would I do without you, my loving, understanding and endlessly funny friend? I know it would bore me, and life would be infinitely less interesting. I love you very much. The happiest days for you now and always. I love you".
Anderson even joined Markle at the 2017 Invictus Games, her first public and official appearance with Prince Harry. As her future husband spent the opening ceremony chatting with politicians, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Meghan and Markus sat a few rows back together, trying to be inconspicuous.
In their official engagement interview with the BBC, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry hinted that their love was the fruit of a blind date arranged by a friend. Speculation about who was the matchmaker of yore has focused on two names: Anderson himself and fashion designer Misha Nonoo, ex-wife of Alexander Gilkes, close to Prince Harry.
Today Markus Anderson is considered one of the most powerful men in Canada thanks to his connections and his friendship with the Sussexes, who this week announced a star signing: Sara Latham, Hillary Clinton's former campaign manager and now her new communications director.
