Meet the "second most important man of his life", his Canadian confidante, 41

He was described as the second most important man in Meghan Markle's life after Prince Harry. Debonair, charming and with impeccable touches, Markus Anderson is so close to the Duchess of Susbad that she calls him an uncle for his beloved dogs.

He was alongside Meghan in his first public appearance with Harry at the Invictus Games in 2017; it was her "bouncer" as the international media crowded a New York hotel with her £ 350,000 birth party; and in a publication on her website, she once wrote: "What would I do without you, my affectionate friend, encouraging and having fun all the time … I love you so much."

Who is this 41-year-old Canadian who has become Meghan's fixer and keeper of her secrets, and how has he managed to carve out a place for himself in the royal family?

Anderson comes from Peterborough, Ontario, a town 90 miles northeast of Toronto. At the age of 18, he cut his ties with a small town and went to London where he got a job as a waiter at the A-List Soho House membership club.

He quickly drew the attention of well-connected founder Nick Jones and rose through the ranks in London by developing his own network of friends and star fixers.

Jones soon sent him back to Canada to set up Soho House in Toronto – and in 2011, Anderson met Meghan when she arrived from Los Angeles to film the first series of her television drama Suits.

She and Anderson get along immediately, while Meghan writes on her now-gone Tig website: "What would I do without you, my loving friend, encouraging and endless fun?" I know what … I'm bored and life would be infinitely less interesting. I like you so much. The happiest day for you now and forever. I love you x. ''

A source at Soho House said, "Long before Prince Harry arrived, Markus was introducing Meghan to all kinds of rich and powerful people."

Anderson introduced Meghan to George and Amal Clooney and Jessica Mulroney, the daughter-in-law of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Jessica became her closest friend.

Meghan would describe Anderson as an uncle to his two dogs, Guy and Bogart, and was photographed on vacation with him in Madrid.

At the time, Meghan was still with her first husband, movie producer Trevor Engelson, and while Angelson was staying in Los Angeles, Anderson had swung her around Toronto, introducing her to local celebrities, including the prime minister. current, Justin Trudeau.

Anderson was a shoulder on which to cry when Meghan's wedding collapsed in 2013. He was fixing her on dates with eligible men drawn from her extensive network of contacts. But it was after meeting Prince Harry in 2016 that Anderson became an even more vital part of Meghan's life.

Meghan and Harry are generally thought to have met for the first time in London at a blind meeting organized by designer Misha Nonoo, but it's in Canada – and especially at Soho House in Toronto – that their love has blossomed.

Anderson arranged for the couple to meet secretly in private lounges at the club.

He did the same thing in London and even organized a romantic weekend at Babington House, a quaint Somerset hotel managed by Soho House. When Meghan made her first public appearance with Harry at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, she chose to sit next to Anderson to attend the events. He was also photographed alongside Meghan's mother, Doria, in a private viewing box.

And Meghan was with Anderson – whose official title is now "global consultant" for Soho House – when he celebrated his 40th birthday almost two years ago. He received the first custom made wine from Soho House, the Lady A, a fruity rosé with a butterfly bottle designed by Damien Hirst.

The artist is another longtime friend of Anderson.

Soho House announced in a press release: "So, why Lady A? It's an old nickname Nick Jones used for Markus Anderson, one of our oldest team members who is 40 years old this year.

"Markus has been a loyal member of the team for two decades and this rosé is a deserved tribute."

The butterfly label was designed by Damien Hirst, a friend who knows Markus as a social butterfly. "

Since then, Anderson has played a more and more decisive role in Meghan's orientation.

Last month, during the launching ceremony, whose price rose to £ 350,000, she chose not to bring a representative of the palace. She instead appealed to her friend to deal with media mbaded in front of the five-star Manhattan Manhattan hotel.

However, his influence and methods have sometimes been criticized. According to the private eye satirical magazine, Anderson has authorized the Parisian macaroon store Laduree to "promote" the fact that they were providing four £ 350 macaroon towers for the prenatal party. The event sparked a heated debate between Meghan and the Laduree website, which claimed to be too indulgent and embarrbading when macaroon tricks would be something that "Marie Antoinette would be proud of".

The Private Eye also unflatteringly baderted that "Anderson" is known in the golden corridors as Susbad Fawcett "- a reference to the former Prince Charles' valet, Michael Fawcett, who was telling one, was so close to the future king that he had the habit of squeezing toothpaste on his toothbrush.

Despite his proximity to Meghan, Anderson maintains his relationship with showbiz – and is a very good friend of television presenter Cat Deeley, who has built a successful career in the United States.

Deeley, 41, posted a photo on her Instagram account last year, showing her as well as Anderson snuggling up against an inflatable toy.

It was subtitled: "If I could leave at sunset on a unicorn of joy with Magic Sparkle Dust, with whoever … it would be you!"

He replied, "When are we leaving?!?"

But he remains the most faithful promoter and confidant of Meghan.

Speaking of Anderson's role with Meghan and her recommendation of Sara Latham as public relations, one source said, "Marcus is very entertaining, very witty and fun.

"He knows everyone, he is extremely discreet, and he and Sara are amazing people for Meghan.

"Between them, they know all the actors of politics and showbusiness on both sides of the Atlantic.

"If Meghan and Harry seek to become a global brand with their philanthropy, they would not have been able to choose two better people to guide them."

Another source said, "Markus is a person who can meet anyone, be it royalty or a receptionist, and makes everyone feel special.

"He is brilliantly connected, quite charming and very discreet.I have tried to tell him about Meghan and all that is happening is a big smile on his face.

"He is very loyal to her – a guardian of secrets."

Anderson, who revealed in an interview that his fashion preferences were Alexander McQueen, Yves Saint Laurent and Mulberry, declined to comment yesterday at the Mail on Sunday's approach.

A spokesman for Soho House said, "He never comments."

How Meghan's Canadian "Repairman" is responsible for her and Harry hires her controversial new head of press, worth £ 140,000 a year

Meghan Markle's closest friend helped choose her controversial new head of press, The Mail on Sunday.

Canada's Markus Anderson, 41, has personally recommended Sara Latham, a powerful public relations guru, to be Meghan and Harry's new communications manager for £ 140,000 a year.

Mr. Anderson – a former waiter – knows the Duchess of Susbad since before his relationship with Prince Harry.

A global consultant for Soho House's private club group, he organized a secret meeting between Meghan and Harry at the company's Toronto, London and Somerset locations during their court.

The appointment of Latham, 48, was controversial as she represented some of the world's most prominent politicians, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, Tony Blair and the late Minister of Labor, Tessa Jowell .

A former senior palace official also played a key role in the appointment.

"Sara and Markus live in the same circles," said one insider. "Sara is liberal like Meghan and has spent her life working with left-wing politicians. Markus is aware of his genius and helped her choose Meghan because they share the same points of view. Sara is super qualified, well connected and very discreet. "

Ms. Latham worked for the Freuds Press Relations Agency from 2003 to 2005. She returned last August as Senior Managing Partner and is close to the agency's founder, Matthew Freud. Mr. Freud is a close friend of Soho House founder Nick Jones.

A source said: "Freuds regularly organizes events in the Soho House properties. Markus and Sara have been in each other's orbit for a while and he is very conscious of his reputation.

"Markus is very protective of Meghan, and when Meghan started having a negative press, it was only natural that he wanted to find the best representation, and Sara is the best."

Ms. Latham's resume is impressive, albeit unusually political, for a royal press chief.

Born in Virginia, she earned a degree in Fine Arts before starting work at Bill Clinton's White House. A source who knew her then describes her as an "intelligent" woman who "quickly climbed the ladder thanks to her intelligence, loyalty and discretion".

She then worked closely with Mr. Blair in the 2005 election campaign and was Executive Director of Philip Gould Associates, the public relations firm created by the late Lord Gould, one of Blair's closest advisors. , before working for Blair's secretary of culture, Tessa Jowell. After returning to the United States, she worked with the Clinton, in charge of the failure of Clinton's candidacy for the 2016 presidential election.

Mrs. Latham did not hide her aversion to Donald Trump, calling him "misogynistic". "He is a political agent of the highest level," added a source in Washington.

"It's an unusual move for her to enter the world of royalty, but it's a clear sign that Meghan and Harry have global plans that will involve political maneuvers behind the scenes, which is Sara's fort. She is devoted to liberal and philanthropic causes. "

Latham is scheduled to move into her new office at Buckingham Palace a few days after last week's announcement that William and Kate would separate their offices from Meghan and Harry's.