Cressida Bonas Says It's 'Incredibly Frustrating' To Be 'Pigeonholed' As Prince Harry's Ex

Cressida Bonas says it's "incredibly frustrating" to have been "pigeonholed" as Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend, despite having carved out her own acting career.

The 28-year-old actress was speaking about her current role as Sonia, the literary agent and divisive second wife of George Orwell in the stage production Mrs Orwell, when she was asked on Woman's Hour whether her own experience of the publicity she received from dating Prince Harry gave her an insight into "being defined by a much more famous man".

"Yes, I think it's that thing of being pigeonholed, especially in this country, I find people are very quick to put you in a box or put you in a corner and think, 'Oh well you're that so you must be this'," Bonas told presenter Emma Barnett.

"It's incredibly frustrating, especially in the industry I'm in," she continued. "But, you know, it is the way it is. It's about making a stand and saying no this is who I am and this is what I want to do."

Reflecting on Sonia, she went on: "It's the same with Sonia, but obviously in a completely different context.

"I think if Sonia were in today's world she'd be celebrated because she's very ambitious, very modern, but at that time, in that world, it was a man's world."

Bonas and Harry reportedly ended their relationship after two years together due to the pressures of dating in the public eye, and the impact it was having on Bonas's promising career as an actress.

The professionally trained dancer stars in Mrs Orwell in the Old Red Lion Theatre, and will appear next alongside Alicia Vikander in period drama Tulip Fever.

Naomi Gordon

Naomi Gordon is news writer mainly covering entertainment news with a focus on celebrity interviews and television.