Inside Elton John's Relationship With Meghan Markle

Following the birth of the royal baby Lilibet, the Sussexes have announced that their company Archwell Productions has partnered with Netflix to create an exciting animated series (via People). "Pearl" (working title) will follow a 12-year-old girl who will learn more about herself and her power through the help of influential women from history. Meghan Markle is slated to executive produce the family series with Canadian filmmaker David Furnish. In addition to their working relationship, Markle and Furnish have a solid friendship. In 2014, Furnish married music legend Elton John, who has a longstanding friendship with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

This relationship between Markle and John grew from John's strong connection to Prince Harry's mother, Princess Diana. John and Diana met in 1981 at a birthday party and had an instant connection. In his 2019 autobiography, "Me" the "Rocket Man" singer wrote, "That night in 1981, she arrived in the ballroom and we immediately clicked. We ended up pretending to dance the Charleston while hooting at the disco's feebleness." Thoroughly maintaining a closeness with the Princess over the next few decades, John formed a relationship with her sons and their respective families.

Over the years Elton John shared his musical gifts with the royal family. He performed at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 2018 wedding reception and continued to celebrate important milestones with the pair (via People). In 2019, John let the Sussexes use his private plane and home for a stay in France following the birth of their first child. In addition to his generosity, the 74-year-old defended the royals when they received backlash for taking a private plane. He tweeted, "I feel a profound sense of obligation to protect Harry and his family from the unnecessary press intrusion that contributed to Diana's untimely death."

John was also a source of support for the couple following their decision to leave their senior royal duties behind (via Daily Mail). A royal insider revealed that the singer speaks to the pair often and is a constant source of support for Markle, in particular. A source close to John explained, "He has been their rock. So while he would never tell them what to do he has been a listening ear and support throughout." With Markle working so closely with John's husband, she's bound to become even closer with the musician.