Meghan Markle messaged X-Factor winner Matt Cardle before meeting Prince Harry

20 May 2019, 13:37 | Updated: 20 May 2019, 13:41

Prince Harry was not Meghan Markle's first choice of British gent, as it transpires she approached singer Matt Cardle in 2015 just months before meeting the Prince.

The Duchess of Sussex has long been in the public eye before her romance with The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, began, and it turns out she had her eye set on a familiar face from the X-Factor before she met the Royal.

It has been revealed that in 2015, only months before meeting Prince Harry, Meghan was messaging X-Factor winner Matt Cardle.

The singer, who was set to make his West End debut in Memphis followed Meghan on Instagram, and a source told The Daily Mail: 'He was stunned when she followed him immediately back and started messaging him.'

They added that 'She said she was a big fan of his work.'

A source close to Matt has confirmed that he chatted with Meghan on Instagram, and that she told him she'd watched him on the X-Factor. They said: 'He was very flattered and they chatted a little bit online before she suggested meeting up.'

The messaging, however, went silent and the pair didn't pursue a romantic relationship when Matt met his now-girlfriend.

Matt is currently dating 28-year-old Amber Hernaman. The pair have been together since they met in 2015.