Meghan Markle's surprise Cat Deeley link as This Morning star celebrates pal's birthday

Daily Mirror

4 days ago

This Morning presenter Cat Deeley and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle have a surprising connection that dates back a number of years
Two names that wouldn't automatically be combined in conversation is Cat Deeley and Meghan Markle. While Meghan is living her life stateside with Prince Harry, Cat is entertaining the British public alongside Ben Shephard on This Morning.
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However, a close pal of both the women helps to bring them together - and he is currently celebrating his birthday. Cat, 48, is close to Soho House director Markus Anderson. And it was the Canadian mogul who helped to play matchmaker to bring together former Suits star Meghan with the prince almost a decade ago.
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Cat took to social media on Sunday to send a special message to her friend. Among the Instagram uploads as a number of funny photos of the duo from time gone by.
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She captioned her post: "Happy Birthday to my partner in crime, wine and dine, ride or die @anderson_markus. Thank you for always making my life more FABULOUS, I love you to the moon AND back X"
Among the images were the pair enjoying concerts, glasses of wine and cuddling into dogs. The was also a clip of them relaxing in a pool on flamboyant inflatables.
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Another of the pair's pal's clearly appreciated the love-in, replying with a sarcastic response. Ben Skervin wrote: "He's ok i guess if you like that sort of thing (said the jealous other best friend)." "Fair to Middling at best ?!?!?," Cat sarcastically replied.
Markus was more serious in his replying, responded: "I [heart emoji] you Bubbs xxx."
And with the Markus connection, comes the Meghan linkup. In her now defunct blog, The Tig, Meghan gave Cat a mention thanks to her friendship with Markus.
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When a lady knows that everything tastes better "with a little champagne"… well, she's a woman after my own heart,' Meghan previously wrote. "Such is the case with Ms. Cat Deeley.
"Not surprising though, given our shared love for partner in crime extraordinaire, Markus Anderson, who you've seen on The Tig time and time again."
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Meghan previously dubbed Markus the "second most important man in her life". He was often spotted at Meghan's side since they struck up a friendship when the Duchess of Sussex lived in Toronto while filming Suits.
Although he did not set up Meghan and Prince Harry, he is said to have played a big part in helping the romance blossom. He reportedly arranged for the pair to meet in private rooms at Soho House and even organised a trip to the boutique hotel Babington House in Somerset.
And while there was speculation regarding a potential faltering of the pair's relationship, that has since been played down. Fans were concerned when he didn't make an appearance on her latest Netflix show.
However, according to the Daily Mail, the businessman's busy professional life was the reason behind his absence. It means he's travelling constantly analso a pal told the publication: 'He just really is not comfortable in the spotlight... it's not his thing."