Rumors had long circulated that fashion designer Misha Nonoo played a pivotal role in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s introduction.
However, in his memoir Spare, Harry confirmed that it was, in fact, his childhood friend, Violet Von Westenholz, who brought them together.
Regardless, Meghan and Misha’s long-standing friendship remains a testament to their bond, both personal and professional.
In his book, Meghan: A Hollywood Princess, Andrew Morton details how the Suits actress and Misha met in December 2014 at Art Basel, an exclusive event held at Soho Beach House in Miami.
At the time, Misha was married to Alexander Gilkes, who attended Eton with Prince Harry, and Meghan was dating Cory Vitiello, a Toronto chef.
It is widely speculated that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were introduced by fashion designer Misha Nonoo, right?
Meghan and Cory were invited to Miami Art Basel by their friend Markus Anderson, membership director at Soho House.
The extravagant beachside event offered a mix of entertainment and luxury, with dancing, cocktails and lavish beauty treatments.
Guests were welcomed to their rooms with hampers of sapphire gin and a fully stocked drinks bar, setting the tone for an evening of world-class entertainment and celebration.
When Meghan met Misha, the pair reportedly hit it off immediately.
Morton writes: ‘Markus Anderson is a great solver and mixer. He has an instinct for bringing together strangers who he thinks might fit in.
‘During lunch he placed Meghan next to Bahrain-born fashion designer Misha Nonoo. At the time she was an up-and-coming designer known as much for her marriage to art dealer Alexander Gilkes, a friend of Princes William and Harry, as for her nonconformist designs.
‘Meghan and Misha got on very well, lunchtime drinks extending to evening cocktails.
‘During the course of the afternoon they were talking about their new collection, which was going to be presented at New York Fashion Week. Meghan would be on break from Suits. She would be there.
In fact, Meghan sat front row during the runway debut of Misha Nonoo, a collection that emphasized women’s empowerment, a cause Meghan has long been passionate about.
The actress later praised the designs during an appearance on Yahoo! Style fashion show, highlighting how the models styled their own hair as part of the presentation.
Meghan was particularly impressed by this detail, noting, “It just set the stage,” as she enthusiastically supported her friend’s collection.
Their friendship would strengthen over the years, and Misha became a key figure in Meghan’s inner circle.
Meghan and Misha met through their mutual friend Markus Anderson, center, in 2014.
Misha was previously married to Alexander Gilkes, who attended Eton with Prince Harry.
RL: Alexander Gilkes, Markus Anderson, Misha Nonoo, Nick Jones, Jay Jopling and Hikari Yokoyama attend Art Basel Miami at Soho Beach House in 2014
Meghan attended the Misha Nonoo show during New York Fashion Week in February 2015.
Meghan chose Misha Nonoo’s ‘Husband’ t-shirt for her first public appearance with Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in September 2017.
Misha worked with the Duchess on her Smart Works charity line in 2019. Smart Works was one of four public sponsorships Meghan received after marrying Prince Harry.
Princess Eugenie attended Misha Nonoo’s pop-up launch in New York in 2019. Eugenie worked at Misha’s ex-husband Alexander’s auction house, Paddle8, in the city for almost two years.
Misha and her now-husband Michael Hess were among the high-profile guests at Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding in 2018.
Misha (left) and Meghan still get along and posed for a photo alongside Bobbi Brown while attending the G9 Ventures Summer Summit in July.
The Duchess has consistently supported Misha by wearing his fashion designs on several notable occasions.
Memorably, she chose the ‘Husband’ t-shirt for her first public appearance with Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in September 2017.
Additionally, Meghan wore another of Misha’s pieces during her last day of meetings in the United Kingdom in 2020, just before stepping back from royal duties.
This continued support underscores their close friendship and shared appreciation for fashion.
Misha and her now-husband Michael Hess were among the high-profile guests at Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding in 2018.
In turn, Harry and Meghan attended Misha and Mikey’s wedding in Rome the following year, along with Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice.
Eugenie had worked at Misha’s ex-husband Alexander’s Paddle8 auction house in New York for almost two years.
Misha, who worked with the Duchess on her Smart Works charity line, opened up to Femail in 2020 about her friendship with the royals.
Reflecting on the experience of working together, Misha described Meghan as “the ultimate professional” and very “considerate” of the women the collection helped.
“It was an ideal collaboration and incredibly easy,” he said. “It was, from start to finish, wonderful, thoughtful and thoughtful, just like she is.”
The couple appears to remain on good terms, as they posed for a photo with Bobbi Brown at the G9 Ventures Summer Summit in July.
