Idris Elba has praised Meghan Markle as a “role model” for all women as the former Suits actress prepares to wed British royal Prince Harry.
The Luther star made his comments about the American actress, who will become a member of the royal family next year (18) when she marries Harry, ahead of a dinner celebrating the work of The Prince’s Trust on Thursday evening (14Dec17).
Idris, an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust, looked dapper in a tuxedo alongside his girlfriend Sabrina Dhowre, and singer Emeli Sande who performed at the event, as they were greeted by Britain’s Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace. And he heaped praised on Meghan, welcoming her addition to the Royal family.
“Meghan Markle, as a person, regardless of her color, is a role model,” he told PA. “As a strong woman marrying into our royal family, she’s going to be a role model for any woman – black, white. The point is that of course our society is one of mixed heritage and it’s nice to see Meghan within the royal family.
“It’s great. And of course she’s going to be a beacon and of course she’s going to be someone that people look towards. Our country is built on our monarchy, we love our monarchy and it’s good to be connected,” he added.
Idris also discussed the important work done by Prince Charles’ organization, of which he himself was a beneficiary.
“If I pinpoint a time when I didn’t have any money, my parents didn’t have any money, I needed some help, the Prince’s Trust came through – the Prince’s Trust and my Auntie May,” he told the news outlet. “The Prince’s Trust gave me some money to go to the National Youth Music Theatre. And I remember if I hadn’t got that money, I wouldn’t have ever gone into that theatre show, I wouldn’t have had that experience of going into the National Theatre, and I probably wouldn’t be standing here today, that’s sort of the truth.”
Harry and Meghan announced their engagement last month, a year after they went public with their romance, which began in the summer of 2016.
They are due to marry at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in May next year.
