MEGHAN’S CLOSEST: THE OTHERS HARRY HAS TO WIN OVER

He may have cracked it with the prospective mother-in-law, but Harry’s charm offensive shouldn’t end there. Here are the other key figures in the life of his intended to whom a man must prove himself.

The best friend

If a girlfriend’s best friend doesn’t like you, you’re in for a rocky ride. The best friend’s opinion counts and she has an open line to your other half. And if you should waver in your fidelity, the best friend will never forgive you. Markle’s best friend is said to be Jessica Mulroney, a fashion stylist who has styled the wife of the Canadian prime minister. She attended the Invictus Games with Markle. If Harry has his wits about him, he will already be working to get her on side.

The work wife

Your partner spends more time with her work wife (or husband) than anyone else. They are the one with whom she shares the minutiae of her day, in real time. Since you’re not there, you can’t compete. If you do meet them, you’d do well to impress them. Last month, Harry seemed to be thinking along these lines when he visited Markle at her workplace – the Toronto set of drama Suits.

The sister

This could be an awkward one in Prince Harry’s case: Meghan Markle is estranged from her half-sister, Samantha Grant, but that allegedly didn’t stop Grant from giving her forthcoming book the provocative title The Diary of Princess Pushy’s Sister.

Elsewhere, forging a bond with your girlfriend’s sister is helpful, both emotionally and practically: your girlfriend will want you to all get along. And doing so means spending time with her family will be more fun.

The male best friend

Being jealous of your girlfriend’s male buddy is understandable. But the best thing you can do is befriend him. The better the three of you get on, the more any sexual tension (real or imaginary) is diminished.

The shouldn’t be a problem for Prince Harry – Markus Anderson is the one who introduced Markle to him in the first place.