Peterborough native a royal matchmaker
A Peterborough native is considered to be the royal matchmaker who introduced Prince Harry to his girlfriend Meghan Markle.
Markus Anderson, 36, a graduate of Peterborough Collegiate and Highland Heights Public School who moved to London, England at age 19, was in the royal spotlight on Saturday night when he was seated next to Markle at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto during the Invictus Games opening ceremony.
The Daily Mail reports that Markle, 36, who shoots the television series Suits in Toronto, and Anderson got close in 2012 when he returned to Ontario to open Soho House in Toronto.
Anderson is thought to be the guy who actually set up the actress with the prince when she was on European holidays.
The paper said Prince Harry, who is a member of Soho House, met Markle when she was on vacation with Anderson and fashion designer Misha Nonoo. As the romance deepened, it took place in Soho Houses around the globe, including an appearance by the pair at a Halloween party in Toronto,
The Daily Mail reports. Soho House is a private members club whose outposts include locations in both Toronto and London
Markle, with Anderson right beside her, sat a section away from Prince Harry at the Invictus Games opening ceremony on Saturday night, 18 seats apart.
Anderson worked his way up from Soho House waiter in London to global membership director as he travelled to cities where the private club was opening to identify potential members. He’s now the right hand man of founder Nick Jones.
In 2014, Toronto Life listed Anderson as one of their 50 Most Influential People that year, putting him at number 48, and he told coveteur.com in 2013 he likes to drink Champagne or beer -- “I grew up in Ontario after all!”
Markle was prominently at Prince Harry’s side during Invictus Games events on Monday in Toronto -- which is considered to be the first public appearance the couple has made.
Prince Harry, who served with the British military in Afghanistan, founded the Invictus Games as an international Paralympic-style multi-sport games for wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and veterans.