Prince Harry may be ready to settle down with Meghan Markle, but he was once an invaluable wingman to an army friend who was trying to impress a love interest.
Corporal Frankie O'Leary from the Household Cavalry – who served with Harry in Afghanistan – has revealed how the prince once 'rather kindly helped me get in well with a young lady', while speaking to reporters outside Hyde Park barracks on Wednesday.
'He [Prince Harry] saw me walking with a young lady,' CoH O’Leary recounted.
'Unbeknownst to me, he was driving on his own, just going for a spin like you do as an English prince. He wound the window down and said, 'See you later, Frank'.'
'I was like, 'See you later, sir'.'
Their casual and friendly exchange left O’Leary’s date with 'her jaw on the floor'.
'I just played it off as cool,' O’Leary said.
When asked how the story ended, he replied: 'It helped – she's become my wife.'
O’Leary will play an important part in Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding day on 19 May, as he is a member of the royal couple's carriage procession which will include 24 other soldiers and two officers on horses.
Speaking about accompanying Harry and Meghan, he joked: 'He might well give me a bit of abuse about my sword position or riding position but I think he’ll be more excited by the fact he’s pulled a cracker and will get to take her home.'
He added: 'It is a real sense of pride to be asked to be involved in what is going to be an amazing occasion and celebration.'
Prince Harry and Meghan will marry on May 19 at St George's Chapel in Windsor.
Naomi Gordon is news writer mainly covering entertainment news with a focus on celebrity interviews and television.
