Inside Prince Charles and Camilla's close friendship with Meghan Markle

Ever since Meghan Markle married Prince Harry, it's become clear that she has bonded well with the members of her new family.

During a Wimbledon appearance this summer, she and the Duchess of Cambridge appeared to be getting on like a house on fire - and Meghan and the Queen couldn't stop giggling during an engagement in Chester together earlier this year.

But it seems that the Duchess of Sussex has forged a particularly close bond with her new father-in-law and stepmother-in-law, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

According to a new profile piece in Vanity Fair on the Prince of Wales, Meghan and Camilla have created a solid friendship, with the Duchess of Cornwall proving to be an invaluable support to Meghan in the first few months of her life as a royal.

A close family friend told the publication that the pair get on like “aces,”, continuing saying, “They clearly really like each other. There is real warmth and support. Camilla has been very helpful to Meghan.”

When the pair have been out and about at events together, their friendly relationship has been clear to see - with them regularly laughing and smiling with one another.

The source also explained that Charles and Camilla together both provided a comforting presence at Harry and Meghan's wedding. They said, “He [Charles] seemed like the settling hand on the whole day—he carried the thing together, while she [Camilla] seemed like she had been doing this forever.”

Of course, Prince Charles was the one to step in and save Meghan on her big day, walking her down the aisle after her father, Thomas Markle, decided not to attend the event.

Reportedly, the future King and the Duchess of Sussex also enjoy an equally close relationship as hers and Camilla's, born out of a mutual understanding of finding yourself within a tricky and controversial family.

A source allegedly told the Mail on Sunday, “Because there’s been bad behaviour that’s caused problems in his family, Charles understands how difficult it must be for Meghan. And it has endeared her to him even more.”

While another also said, “Whatever they felt inside, they’ve both put on a strong public face and not hidden away.”

It's also said that Charles has bonded with Meghan over art, history and culture too, with him reportedly stating that the Duchess of Sussex is "incredibly smart" - and uniquely equipped to handle life as a royal given her former career as an actress.

The source also commented on Camilla and Meghan's close bond, suggesting they get on, "Not least because both of them have joined the Royal Family from the outside."

They also said, "Camilla goes out of her way to find time to spend with Meghan, to get to know her and make her feel welcome. She’s the ideal mother-in-law."

How lovely - it looks like the Duchess of Sussex has found a brilliant support network in her new, extended family.