Friends of Meghan Markle’s first husband are still advised to ‘never mention the “M” word’ after he was left ‘crushed’ when she demanded a divorce, despite being a Hollywood hotshot with new millionaire wife

It was a typical lunch at Italian restaurant Il Pastaio in Beverly Hills, a popular spot for celebrity agents, prominent Hollywood managers and stars such as Justin Bieber and Al Pacino.

At a sunny corner table, a handsome, sturdy man in gold-rimmed sunglasses held court with a group of managers and agents.

While many in the crowded restaurant knew who he was – he was constantly greeting his friends and fellow agents – there was one subject firmly dismissed: Meghan Markle.

Because if the Duchess of Sussex has evolved in her life, her ex-husband Trevor Engelson too.

A friend of Engelson who saw him recently told the MoS: “For a long time things were difficult for Trevor. He’s a good guy but Meghan crushed him when she filed for divorce. When she reconnected with Prince Harry, he was crushed again as he was constantly reminded of her because of the publicity around the wedding and then the Oprah interview drama. But all that is now a thing of the past.

“When I saw him recently, he kept saying he was the happiest he’s ever been, loved being a dad and never felt so fulfilled.”

That said, his friend observed, “Everyone in Trevor’s life knows not to mention the ‘M’ word. He has moved on, and in some ways you could say he has an even better life than Meghan. He probably has more money than her now, he does what he loves, and he’s out of the spotlight. This is the ultimate revenge.

Trevor, 46, has seen his personal and professional fortunes blossom in recent years.

He has been married since 2019 to heiress Tracey Kurland, a dietician whose late father amassed a $500m (£395m) fortune in the mortgage business before his untimely death from Covid complications in 2021 Upon her death, reports the United States claimed that Tracey inherited $250 million.

Trevor and Tracey live on a sprawling estate in a wealthy Los Angeles enclave with their two young daughters, and for the past two years have co-hosted a golf tournament in memory of his father that has raised more than ‘one million dollars.

“They are a very close family and an amazing couple,” the friend continued. “Trevor adores his wife and two little girls. When he’s with them, he never stops smiling.

Professionally, too, he was successful. His Beverly Hills-based management and production company Underground created the hit crime series Snowfall, which ran for six seasons and starred British actor Damson Idris. A spin-off show is in the works.

Engelson represents a roster of rising stars and, unlike many others in Hollywood, has been a strong supporter of the current actors’ and writers’ strike.

‘The happiest he’s ever been’: Trevor pictured with his second wife Tracey Kurland

The friend said, “Trevor is a fast-talking guy from Great Neck, New York and in some ways he’s your typical agent/manager, he’s always talking about his clients and his various projects.

“But he’s also one of the nicest guys in Hollywood. He’d give you the shirt he’s got on his back. During the strike in Hollywood, Engelson was on the picket line, offering people coffee and donuts. “He’s not someone who has ever sought to be noticed and he keeps his generosity discreet”, explains his friend.

Trevor’s life is now a far cry from the one he shared with Meghan. The couple met in a Hollywood bar in 2004, quickly fell in love and moved in together.

They dated for seven years before getting married on a Jamaican beach in 2011, an event during which guests received hemp gift bags containing samples of the potent local strain of marijuana.

Meghan’s ex-father Thomas Markle, 79, remembers Engelson with great fondness. “I really liked Trevor,” he said.

“He got to know my mum and he was always so kind and supportive. He was a perfect gentleman to my daughter and treated me with great respect.

“When he asked for Meghan’s hand, I couldn’t have been happier.”

Unlike Prince Harry, who never met his stepfather, Engelson had a warm bond with Thomas and Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland. “He treated Meghan so well and he was always so kind and respectful to Doria and me,” Mr Markle said.

“When she reconnected with Prince Harry he was crushed again,” a friend of Engelson’s told the Mail On Sunday.

“Meghan loves to entertain, so we would be invited to meals and special occasions. I really enjoyed Trevor’s company.

For most of the marriage, Engelson was the primary breadwinner. Meghan struggled to find success as an actress, at one point becoming a ‘suitcase girl’ on the TV show Deal Or No Deal, which she later said felt ‘objectified’ .

Still, Engelson consistently supported his wife, securing roles for her in a low-budget movie called The Candidate and then a role in a movie called Remember Me with a very young pre-Twilight star, Robert Pattinson. “Trevor has been supporting Meghan like a rock,” a source told MoS. “He was the one paying most of the rent, he was constantly building it.”

When Meghan finally landed a “decent” role as paralegal Rachel Zane on TV series Suits, Engelson wholeheartedly supported her move to Toronto to film the series which would ultimately run for nine seasons. “Trevor has always been loyal to Meg,” said a friend who knew them as a couple. “When she bought Suits, he was her biggest cheerleader.”

Meghan quickly developed her own group of influential friends in the Canadian city, including fashion designer Jessica Mulroney and Sophie Trudeau (ex-wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau).

“No long distance relationship is easy and Meghan started to drift away from Trevor when she was in Canada,” the source told MoS. “When she told Trevor she wanted a divorce after a few years, he was devastated. He phoned Meghan’s dad in pieces, not knowing where things went wrong. He was genuinely blindsided.

For most of the marriage, Engelson was the primary breadwinner. Meghan struggled to find success as an actress

According to the hagiographic book on Meghan and Harry, Finding Freedom, Meghan was hurt when Engelson was invited to the Oscars and went alone because he only had one ticket.

The source said, “This comment demonstrated a fundamental lack of knowledge about Hollywood. The Oscars are the toughest tickets in town. Unless you’re a nominee or a big name, it’s common for single tickets to be given out. It’s great that Trevor has a ticket.

“Why Meghan would think she would have the right to accompany him is strange. Even big stars can’t bring everyone they want.

The couple divorced in 2013 citing “irreconcilable differences”.

According to multiple reports, Meghan mailed her wedding rings and engagement rings to Engelson in Los Angeles.

“Trevor was heartbroken,” his friend said. “He was calling their mutual friends to tell them he didn’t know what was wrong?”

As the MoS revealed earlier this summer, some have coined the phrase ‘You’ve been branded’ to describe how quickly – and some might say coldly – Meghan is able to shake off her once close friends. . David and Victoria Beckham were ‘tagged’ when Meghan allegedly suspected Victoria leaked stories about her to the press.

This is something the Beckhams vehemently deny.

Meghan abandoned her childhood best friend, Ninaki Priddy, for unknown reasons. Some have suggested that Ninaki supported Trevor through the divorce.

“Trevor took a while to get over Meghan,” the friend said. “He was fine and then, in 2016, it emerged that Meghan was dating Prince Harry.

According to multiple reports, Meghan mailed her wedding rings and engagement rings to Engelson in Los Angeles.

When Meghan finally landed a “decent” role as paralegal Rachel Zane on TV series Suits, Engelson wholeheartedly supported her move to Toronto to film the series.

Meghan abandoned her childhood best friend Ninaki Priddy (pictured right) for unknown reasons. Some have suggested that Ninaki supported Trevor during the divorce

“Poor Trevor had to go through it all – being approached by the media and even friends, asking how he felt. It was not easy. At one point, Engelson even considered directing a TV series about a man whose ex-wife falls in love with a prince. But this project was “quietly shelved”.

By the time he met his second wife Tracey, he was ready to settle down. The couple married at a five-star beach hotel in May 2019 – ironically in Montecito, California, a short distance from the £11million, 16-bathroom home that Meghan and Harry bought more later in the exclusive enclave.

A guest at the wedding said, “It was a joyous occasion. Trevor looked so happy. So relieved. He is a man who has gone through the mill. He loved Meghan but he was very hurt by her. All of us who love him are happy that he is in such a good position.