Meghan Markle and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have formed a strong bond since they met on the duchess' tour of New Zealand in 2018 and are in regular email contact, a new book has claimed.
Finding Freedom, the controversial biography of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle written by two British journalists, contains details of the pair's relationship and of Markle's friendships with other political figures, lending weight to the theory that she plans a move into politics herself.
The book describes Markle's relationship with Ardern, alongside Canadian First Lady Sophie Trudeau, Hillary Clinton and the Obamas.
They first met when Markle toured New Zealand and the Pacific in 2018, with new mum Ardern being impressed by the then-pregnant duchess' stamina.
"Pregnancy is an often-tiring time," said Ardern, "but the way she gave everything her all was incredible. She's an amazing woman and I'm so glad to have gotten to know her."