Meghan's secret royal connection revealed
Just as Prince Harry and girlfriend Meghan Markle make their first public appearance at the Invictus Games in Toronto, it's been discovered that the actress already has a connection to the royal family.
Her relatives, who are researching their family tree, have found out that her great-great-great-grandmother, Mary Bird, was a member of the royal household staff.
The name M. Bird is in the Windsor Castle Weekly Disbursement Book in 1856, which fits with the time that Mary would have been there.
The Irish born maid apparently married English soldier Thomas Bird, and was subsequently disowned by her family.
The couple had three daughters, including Meghan’s great-great-grandmother, also named Mary, who was born in Malta in 1862.
RELATED: Inside Prince Harry and Meghan’s future home
RELATED: Meghan’s brother puts pressure on Harry
It was U.S. Air Force Colonel Ken Barbi who discovered the Suits star's British roots — his wife, Susan, is a second cousin of Meghan’s father, Thomas.
“It is extraordinary to think that one of Mary’s descendants looks likely to marry Prince Harry,” Ken told the Daily Mail.
As their relationship has progressed, the couple have attended more events together, like Pippa Middleton’s wedding reception earlier this year.
In a cover story interview with Vanity Fair, the actress spoke about the attention that is focused on the couple.
“It has its challenges, and it comes in waves—some days it can feel more challenging than others,” she said.
“And right out of the gate it was surprising the way things changed. But I still have this support system all around me, and, of course, my boyfriend’s support.”
Want more celebrity, entertainment and lifestyle news? Follow Be on Facebook,Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
