She declined to be named – but, after being pictured sharing a pizza with Mr Markle at a local restaurant last week, denied that she was romantically involved with Harry's future father-in-law.
Mr Markle has not yet met the Prince, and it is not known when he will. But his friend said: "He likes Harry. He thinks he's very much a gentleman and he's looking forward to the wedding."
It has been rumoured that Meghan could break with convention and have both her father and her mother, Doria, walk her down the aisle on May 19.
Doria, 61, met Harry at last year's Invictus Games in Toronto, and the Princehas described her as 'amazing'. Tom and Doria, a social worker, divorced when Meghan was six, and she has subsequently been closer to her mother.
A family source said: "Meghan sees more of her mother because Tom leads such a quiet life, but she adores both her parents. It would surprise no one if she has both her mother and father accompany her.Tom has said from the start that he wants to walk her down the aisle, and that has never changed."
The Mail on Sunday spoke to Mr Markle outside his seafront bungalow yesterday. He confirmed the woman who spoke to this newspaper was "a good friend"– but nothing more. "Ihave no girlfriend," he added. "Have a good day, man."
He met the young mum, an American, in the street when she was with her ten-year-old daughter. "He told me how cute she is and that he misses his kids," the friend said. "My daughter reminded him of when his kids were little."
Mr Markle – who moved to Rosarito Beach in Mexico after being declared bankrupt in 2016 – has previously called Harry and Meghan "a very good match," saying: "It's wonderful. I'm very happy for them."
Last week the wedding invitations were finally sent out. The Mail on Sunday understands that the guest list includes British stars, including the Beckhams, international figures such as Canadian premier Justin Trudeau, and close friends from the US, including designer Misha Nonoo.
