Hallmark Star Kristoffer Polaha Has Surprising History with Meghan Markle

So it shouldn't come as a surprise that a Hallmark movie star knows a royal family member.

Kristoffer Polaha, known for his roles in TV series such as Life Unexpected and Ringer, as well as appearances in CSI and Castle, is mostly famous for his work in Hallmark movies.

But apart from starring in several successful Christmas romantic comedies, the actor played a significant role in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship.

While it may be presumptuous to claim that had it not been for Polaha, Meghan and Harry would not be together today, he was instrumental in steering Meghan down the path to her prince charming.

Today, Meghan Markle is better known as Prince Harry's wife and the woman who broke the British royal family once again. Fewer people know, however, that she used to be an actress and co-starred with Polaha in Hallmark's Dater's Handbook.

Meghan played Cassandra, a young woman who decides to find happiness by following the precepts of a popular self-help book.

Cassandra uses the perfect partner criteria outlined in the book, but eventually, she finds she can't choose between Robert (Kristoffer Polaha) and George (Jonathan Scarfe): she fancies one of the men, but the other one is a perfect match for the book's recommendations.

It would hardly be a spoiler to reveal that Markle and Polaha's characters get romantically involved in the movie. To prepare for their roles, the actors went on mock dates for three weeks to develop believable on-screen chemistry. In the process, they also bonded and got to know and understand each other very well, Polaha told SheKnows.

The actor also revealed that he gave Meghan some personal advice when, following a divorce, Meghan sought to immediately get into another relationship.

‘You just got out of a marriage, why are you jumping into another relationship? Go be single, be free!’

Markle took his advice to heart and enjoyed being single for a while. And according to the actor, several months later she sent Polaha a text message.

‘In March, I get this other text and she’s like, “Well, I met someone.” I said, “Do you like him?” And she said, “I kinda do.” And then of course, it was Harry,’ the actor said.

And the rest is history.