Meghan Markle and King Charles's relationship strengthened during recent visit

A key moment that strengthened the bond between King Charles and Meghan Markle occurred before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as senior royals in January 2020. 

In his memoir Spare, published in January 2023, Prince Harry reveals that the connection between Meghan and his father deepened when the King discovered an intriguing fact about the Duchess.

According to Harry, Charles was thrilled to learn that Meghan Markle shares a birthday with his "favorite person"—the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth. 

The Duke of Sussex recounts how the King's face lit up upon this revelation during a visit to the Castle of Mey in Scotland in the summer of 2018. 

"The bond between Meg and Pa, always strong, grew even stronger during that weekend," Harry writes.

During a memorable evening at the Castle of Mey, King's delight was evident when he discovered that Meghan Markle shares the same birthday as his beloved grandmother, the Queen Mother, whom he affectionately called "Gan-Gan." 

The revelation came during pre-dinner cocktails, with Fred Astaire playing softly in the background.

Harry recounts in his memoir Spare how Charles’s demeanor transformed upon learning this special connection. “Amazing,” he remarked with a smile. 

"He suddenly became buoyant, telling stories I’d never heard, essentially showing off for Meg," Harry writes.

The Queen Mother, who passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 30, 2002, at the age of 101, was a revered figure in the royal family. 

Her death came just under two months after her daughter, Princess Margaret, passed away at 71.