Priyanka Chopra: Meghan Markle was destined for ‘big things’ and found her ‘calling’ as a royal

07/03/2019

Priyanka Chopra is praising her friend!

The 36-year-old actress covers the August issue of Elle UK and opens up about the surprising turn her pal, Meghan Markle’s, life has taken. The ladies met at an event in January 2016, just months before Markle was introduced to her future husband, Prince Harry, that July.

“Megs… she was always meant for big things,” Chopra gushes over the Duchess of Sussex. “To be a change and be an important voice in doing that. It’s amazing that she found that calling and has the platform to be able to do it.”

Chopra, who gave the interview prior to the birth of Harry and Meghan’s first child, Archie, in May, also reflects on how the former Suits star was meant to be a royal.

“By the time this comes out, she will have a baby — it’s so amazing how lives change. I’m a big believer in taking charge of your life, but there’s got to be something bigger that puts us into the circumstances that we are put in,” she says. “Destiny has a weird way of helping you to find your calling.”

24 PHOTOSMeghan Markle at Trooping the ColourSee GalleryMeghan Markle at Trooping the ColourThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex make their way along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, in London, ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony, as Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her official birthday. (Photo by Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images)LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 08: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex ride by carriage down the Mall during Trooping The Colour, the Queen’s annual birthday parade, on June 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)The Duke and Duchess of Sussex make their way along The Mall to Buckingham Palace, in London, after the Trooping the Colour ceremony, as Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her official birthday. (Photo by Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images)The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall make their way along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, in London, ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony, as The Queen celebrates her official birthday. (Photo by Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images)The Duke and Duchess of Sussex make their way along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, in London, ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony, as The Queen celebrates her official birthday. (Photo by Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images)LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 08: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex rides by carriage down the Mall during Trooping The Colour, the Queen’s annual birthday parade, on June 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (L) and Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (R) make their way in a horse drawn carriage to Horseguards parade ahead of the Queen’s Birthday Parade, ‘Trooping the Colour’, in London on June 8, 2019. – The ceremony of Trooping the Colour is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. Since 1748, the Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign. Over 1400 parading soldiers, almost 300 horses and 400 musicians take part in the event. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)(Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)The Duke and Duchess of Sussex make their way along The Mall to Buckingham Palace, in London, after the Trooping the Colour ceremony, as Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her official birthday. (Photo by Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images)Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (L) and Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (R) return to Buckingham Palace after the Queen’s Birthday Parade, ‘Trooping the Colour’, in London on June 8, 2019. – The ceremony of Trooping the Colour is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. Since 1748, the Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign. Over 1400 parading soldiers, almost 300 horses and 400 musicians take part in the event. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)(Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex returns to Buckingham Palace after the Queen’s Birthday Parade, ‘Trooping the Colour’, in London on June 8, 2019. – The ceremony of Trooping the Colour is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. Since 1748, the Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign. Over 1400 parading soldiers, almost 300 horses and 400 musicians take part in the event. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)(Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 08: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrive at Trooping The Colour, the Queen’s annual birthday parade, on June 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)The Duke and Duchess of Sussex make their way along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, in London, ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony, as The Queen celebrates her official birthday. (Photo by Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images)Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex smiles as she and Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (not pictured) make their way in a horse drawn carriage to Horseguards parade ahead of the Queen’s Birthday Parade, ‘Trooping the Colour’, in London on June 8, 2019. – The ceremony of Trooping the Colour is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. Since 1748, the Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign. Over 1400 parading soldiers, almost 300 horses and 400 musicians take part in the event. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)(Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall make their way along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, in London, ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony, as The Queen celebrates her official birthday. (Photo by Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images)Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex smiles as she and Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (not pictured) make their way in a horse drawn carriage to Horseguards parade ahead of the Queen’s Birthday Parade, ‘Trooping the Colour’, in London on June 8, 2019. – The ceremony of Trooping the Colour is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. Since 1748, the Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign. Over 1400 parading soldiers, almost 300 horses and 400 musicians take part in the event. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)(Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)The Duke and Duchess of Sussex make their way along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, in London, ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony, as The Queen celebrates her official birthday. (Photo by Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images)LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 08: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends Trooping The Colour, the Queen’s annual birthday parade, on June 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)The Duke and Duchess of Sussex make their way along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, in London, ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony, as The Queen celebrates her official birthday. (Photo by Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images)LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 08: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge ride by carriage down the Mall during Trooping The Colour, the Queen’s annual birthday parade, on June 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 08: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge ride by carriage down the Mall during Trooping The Colour, the Queen’s annual birthday parade, on June 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 08: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge ride by carriage down the Mall during Trooping The Colour, the Queen’s annual birthday parade, on June 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)The Duke and Duchess of Sussex make their way along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, in London, ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony, as The Queen celebrates her official birthday. (Photo by Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images)The Duke and Duchess of Sussex make their way along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, in London, ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony, as The Queen celebrates her official birthday. (Photo by Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images)The Duke and Duchess of Sussex make their way along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, in London, ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony, as The Queen celebrates her official birthday. (Photo by Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images)Up Next

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It seems Chopra and Markle could soon be neighbors, as the Quantico star reveals that she and husband Nick Jonas hope to purchase a London home in the future. The revelation comes as Chopra reflects on her Miss World victory back in 2000.

“I will never forget how the Millennium Dome [now The O2] looked that night, and how I felt after I won,” Chopra recalls of winning the pageant. “Nick and I want to get a place in London at some point. Whenever I go there, I feel connected to the city.”

Chopra’s sweet comments about Markle come just over a month after she called out the British press for their “really unfortunate” treatment of her pal, something she attributed to racism.

“For sure, 100 percent,” Chopra told the Sunday Times. “Of course it has to do with racism, it’s an obvious reason. But the beauty of Meg is that she’s been herself through all of this.”

“A lot of people got to know her after everything [once she started dating Harry], but I knew her before and she’s the same chick,” Chopra continued. “Now that she’s got a real platform, she talks about the same things she always did. We spent hours speaking about the difference that influence and dialogue can make to the world before this whole thing happened, so what you see now is authentically her. She’s always been the girl wanting to move the needle.”

Despite Markle’s challenges with the press, Chopra insisted that “If there’s anyone who can handle it, it’s her.”

“Meghan is such a progressive, modern girl. She’s what the world is today — a self-made woman who looks like each one of us,” Chopra said, adding that they first connected on “how we see the world and as girls.”

“I mean, she’s stunning,” Chopra continued, “but she is so completely herself.”

17 PHOTOSPriyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas get married: PicsSee GalleryPriyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas get married: PicsHappiest day of my life. @priyankachopraHappiest day of my life. @priyankachopraBollywood actress Priyanka Chopra and musician Nick Jonas stand for photographs at their wedding reception in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra and musician Nick Jonas stand for photographs at their wedding reception in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)One of the most special things that our relationship has given us is a merging of families who love and respect each other’s faiths and cultures. And so planning our wedding with an amalgamation of both was so so amazing. An important part of the pre wedding rituals for the girl in an Indian wedding is the Mehendi.Once again we made it our own and it was an afternoon that kicked off the celebrations in the way we both [email protected]This was truly magical. @priyankachopra Link in bio @peopleFamily.Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, third right and musician Nick Jonas, second right, stand for family photographs at their wedding reception in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)Joe Jonas and his fiancé and Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner pose for photographs during the wedding reception of Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra and musician Nick Jonas in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)Priyanka and I have been looking forward to the Sangeet (the musical evening and a pre-wedding ritual) to see what each side of the family had put together. We’re both so full of gratitude for the effort and the love put forth by both families. What an amazing start to a [email protected]It all began as a fierce song & dance competition between the families but ended, as always, as a huge celebration of love. Nick and I were looking forward to the Sangeet (musical evening), another pre wedding ritual.. and to see what each side had put together.And what a performance it was. Each family telling our stories through song and dance, filled with lots of laughter and love. We were both filled with gratitude for the effort, the love and the laughter and will carry the memories of this special evening for the rest of our lives. It is an amazing start to a lifetime of togetherness for our families and friends…#[email protected]?/?: @calebjordanlee @josevilla @josephradhikBollywood actress Priyanka Chopra and musician Nick Jonas greet media during their wedding reception in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra and musician Nick Jonas stand for photographs at their wedding reception in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra and musician Nick Jonas arrive for their wedding reception in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)Friends.. family.. ❤️So much love, tradition and celebration. Happy wedding, PC and NJ. We love you and your love. ❤️First Indian wedding it was pure magic ?Up Next