It seems that Meghan Markle has faced underestimation and comparison throughout much of her public life, not only from the British Royal Family and its supporters but also from outside circles like former ESPN host Ryen Russillo. Back in 2014, when Meghan was still an actress on Suits, Russillo ran into her at a celebrity flag football event during Super Bowl weekend. According to his recounting on The Bill Simmons Podcast, he misjudged Meghan and thought of her as someone who could easily be won over, attributing it to a perceived moment of self-doubt.
Russillo went on to slide into her DMs, offering her a spot on his show to promote the upcoming season of Suits, which he thought would be a professional approach. However, Meghan responded with an icy rejection, saying she wasn’t interested and didn’t know much about sports. This dismissal put an end to Russillo’s hopes of connecting with her, revealing how misguided his approach had been.
In contrast, Meghan later met Prince Harry, who pursued her with genuine respect and effort, not treating her as someone to “win over” or “obtain” in the way Russillo had. Prince Harry’s commitment to her, despite the royal family’s resistance, has been evident in his ongoing efforts to protect his family and navigate the challenges of royal life. His devotion to Meghan, even in the face of immense public scrutiny, contrasts sharply with Russillo’s transactional view of relationships.
While their departure from the royal family has sparked controversy and debate, there’s no denying that Prince Harry’s love for Meghan was never about schemes or superficial plans; it was about breaking away from tradition for a life they could build together.