Meet ‘the second most important man in Meghan Markle’s life’ – her charming Canadian confidant, 41
HE’S been dubbed the most important man in Meghan Markle life – after Prince Harry – and he plays an influential role in her life.
Canadian Markus Anderson, 41, works as the Duchess of Sussex’s fixer and is so close to the royal that she calls him “uncle” to her beloved dogs.
He was part of the exclusive A-list guest list who attended Meghan’s lavish £350,000 New York baby shower, and he was by her side at her first public appearance with Harry at the Invictus Games in 2017.
But what do we know about the Soho House director, and what key role does he play in Meghan’s life at the palace?
Markus first met the star back in 2001 when she had arrived in Toronto from LA to start filming the first series of hit TV legal drama Suits.
Well-connected Markus had been tasked with setting up Soho House in Toronto at the time, and was quickly rising in the ranks to land himself a network of celebrity friends.
Although he’s originally from Ontario, a town 90 miles north of Toronto, he had moved to London at the age of 18.
He worked as a waiter at the elite members-only Soho House in the city, and quickly found himself taken under the wing of founder Nick Jones, who sent him to Toronto to open the latest branch.
Meghan and Markus quickly became close pals, with the actress gushing on her now-defunct website The Tig about their bond.
She wrote: “What would I do without you, my loving, supportive, and endlessly fun friend?? I know what… I would be bored, and life would be infinitely less interesting. I love you SO much. Happiest of days for you now and always. Love you x.”
According to a Soho House source, Markus was instrumental for introducing Meghan to a host of “rich and powerful” people, long before Prince Harry arrived on the scene.
This clientele included her close friends George and Amal Clooney and also her best friend and stylist Jessica Mulroney, who was in the bridal party at the royal wedding last May.
When Meghan’s first marriage to film producer Trevor Engelson broke down, Markus was a shoulder to cry on, and set her up on a string of dates with eligible men.
While he isn’t said to be responsible for pairing Meghan with Prince Harry, he did help the romance to blossom.
Markus is said to have pulled some strings and arranged for the lovebirds to meet secretly in private rooms at his club in Toronto.
THE BACKGROUND OF SOHO HOUSE DIRECTOR MARKUS ANDERSON
Markus Anderson is the global membership director at swanky members club group Soho House.
He started working for the company as a waiter but quickly moved up through the ranks, turning his hand to practically every position at the company on his way up the ladder.
The stylish chap is the right-hand man to company CEO Nick Jones and personally crafts the guest lists to some of the biggest celebrity parties – including an annual Oscars bash.
The 41-year-old was named one of Toronto Life’s 50 Most Influential in 2014.
In terms of his tastes, it seems Markus has a passion for the finer things in life.
He told Mr Porter that his favourite designers are Alexander McQueen and Saint Laurent while his favourite bag is an old Mulberry briefcase.
He also made similar arrangements in London and sorted out a romantic stay at Babington House in Somerset, which is run by Soho House.
Meghan made her first appearance on the world stage as Prince Harry’s girlfriend at the Invictus Games in 2011, and Markus was prominently sat directly next to the star for the event.
As the star transitioned into royal life, Markus has been described as instrumental in helping to guide her and has been labelled a close confidante.
At the grand and heavily-published baby shower in February, the Soho House guru handled the media outside the swanky The Mark hotel in Manhattan.
A source told the Mail on Sunday: “Markus is someone who can meet anyone, be it royalty or a receptionist and he makes everyone feel special.
“He is brilliantly connected, utterly charming and very discreet. I’ve tried talking to him about Meghan and all that happens is a big smile crosses his face.
“He is completely loyal to her – a keeper of the secrets.”
On Friday, it was announced that Meghan and Prince Harry will break away from Prince William and Kate Middleton to have a separate royal household and office.
The parents-to-be will instead base their official household office at Buckingham Palace, and will have a separate communications team to reflect this move.
Their new staff includes Hillary Clinton’s campaign advisor Sara Latham as their head of communications, and Markus is said to have personally advised the appointment.
An insider revealed: “Markus is great fun, very witty and amusing. He knows everyone. He’s utterly discreet. He and Sara are amazing people for Meghan to have on her team.
“Sara is liberal like Meghan and has spent her life working with politicians on the Left. Markus is aware of how brilliant she is and helped pick her for Meghan because they share the same views. Sara is super-qualified, well-connected and very discreet.”
Sara worked for PR agency Freuds from 2003 to 2005 and pair are said to have met after the company frequently held events at Soho House properties.
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
In more Royal Family news, Kate Middleton has been “making a real effort” with Meghan Markle and is keen to show there’s “no bad feelings” after the feud rumours, a royal source has claimed.
Plus Meghan is ready to “extend the olive branch” to her estranged dad and half-sister after her baby is born, another insider has claimed.
And the heavily pregnant Duchess has been urged not to “put her baby at risk for the sake of fashion” by a doctor after stepping out in another pair of four-inch stilettos.