Bower, who has been vocal in his criticism of the couple and has been referred to as the “Witchfinder General” by the Daily Mail for his scathing portrayals of his subjects, has caused a media frenzy in the UK with the release of his book. Among other sensational claims, such as alleging that Meghan made Kate Middleton cry during a bridesmaids dress fitting, contrary to Meghan’s account in her Oprah Winfrey interview, Bower asserts that Meghan was still cohabiting with Vitiello when she was set up on her first date with Prince Harry.
Tom Bower, an author, has provided insights into Meghan Markle’s personal life before her relationship with Prince Harry. According to Bower, although Meghan’s romance with chef Cory Vitiello had reached its conclusion when she met Prince Harry, the couple continued to cohabit. Despite having discussed ending their relationship, Vitiello was still residing in the shared home when Meghan embarked on a trip to Europe in the summer of 2016. This information sheds light on the circumstances surrounding Meghan’s transition from her previous relationship to her eventual union with Prince Harry.
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According to biographer Tom Bower, Meghan Markle and Cory Vitiello met in 2014 in Toronto, where Vitiello was a renowned restaurateur well-known among Canada’s high society. Bower states that on July 10, 2014, after dining at Vitiello’s restaurant with the cast of Suits, Meghan wrote a glowing review on her blog, The Tig, referring to Vitiello as “my very favorite chef.”
Shortly after ending a previous relationship, Vitiello began dating Meghan, and they rented a three-bedroom home together in Toronto’s Annex district. Through Vitiello, Meghan was introduced to influential figures in the Canadian celebrity circle, including Jessica Mulroney, who would become one of Meghan’s closest friends. As Ben Mulroney, Jessica’s husband, is the son of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, this connection also facilitated Meghan’s introduction to prominent Canadian political families like the Trudeaus. By the summer of 2016, Meghan and Vitiello’s romance had reportedly ended, and Meghan was considering a move to Britain, where she sought a new romantic relationship.
In Britain, it has been reported that Meghan and Harry were set up on a blind date by Violet von Westenholz, a high-society publicist for Ralph Lauren. Notably, Violet had dressed Meghan for two appearances at Wimbledon during her stay in the country. Violet is the daughter of a close friend of Prince Charles and was a childhood playmate of Princes William and Harry. According to the author, in her “empathetic manner,” Meghan persuaded the “sensitive soul” Violet to arrange the blind date with Harry.
The courtship between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle blossomed from their shared commitment to humanitarian causes and philanthropic endeavors, as they revealed in their engagement interview a year later. According to biographer Tom Bower, after their initial date, the couple agreed to meet again, and within two weeks, Harry discreetly flew to Toronto. He stayed for approximately a week at the residence of one of Meghan’s friends, likely Jessica Mulroney. Bower notes that while Meghan’s then-partner Cory Vitiello was still residing with her, the situation was delicate but manageable. Ultimately, Bower claims that Meghan’s relationship with Vitiello came to an end following Prince Harry’s visit to Toronto.
The passage provides insights into the alleged relationship dynamics between Meghan Markle and her former partner, Cory, as well as the timeline of her courtship with Prince Harry. According to the account, after spending time with Harry, Meghan believed she had successfully secured a relationship with him and consequently ended her affair with Cory, who was unaware of the circumstances surrounding the breakup. Harry and Meghan publicly acknowledged their relationship in November 2016, got engaged a year later, and married in May 2018. They now have two children together, Archie, aged 3, and Lilibet, aged 1.
The announcement of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s engagement at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017, has been followed by a series of claims made in a book by author Bowers. These claims have sparked significant discussion and scrutiny in Britain.
One particular claim, suggesting that Queen Elizabeth II expressed relief that Meghan Markle was not attending Prince Philip’s funeral, has been openly questioned. A source close to the Queen previously informed Newsweek that it is unlikely the monarch would have been thinking of anyone other than her late husband during that solemn occasion.
Another claim, alleging that Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, made a joke about Harry and Meghan’s future children having a “ginger afro,” has also been disputed. A royal source has dismissed this claim as “nonsense” while speaking to Newsweek.
These claims have generated considerable commentary and debate, with some sources close to the royal family challenging their veracity and providing alternative perspectives on the reported incidents.