Meghan Markle set for awkward run-in with Ivanka Trump at Misha Nonoo’s Italian wedding after she avoided Donald during state visit
MEGHAN Markle has flown to Italy for a friend’s wedding and could have an awkward run-in with fellow guest Ivanka Trump.
Both women are attending the nuptials of fashion designer Misha Nonoo in Rome today, and it could be a frosty reception given Meghan avoided the Trumps during their June state visit to Britain.
The Duchess of Sussex was not present for the state banquet nor did she attend any of the D-Day commemorations during President Trump’s three-day visit to the UK this summer.
While the palace revealed that she had not been in attendance due to her maternity leave with baby Archie Harrison, journalist Piers Morgan insists that she avoided it due to her own personal dislike of the president.
Despite any rumoured rift, Meghan and Ivanka used to be on good terms a few years ago.
On her now-defunct blog The Tig, Meghan wrote of the president’s daughter in 2014 calling her “staggeringly beautiful” and “intelligent”.
Relations are said to have soured when the former Suits actress criticised Donald during the 2016 presidential election, and he later called her “nasty”.
Ivanka and husband Jared Kushner are expected to be among Misha’s star-studded wedding today, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are also said to have arrived in the city.
Bahrain-born Misha is one of Meghan’s closest friends, and she was recently hired as the designer behind Meghan’s new Smart Works capsule collection.
A source told Fabulous Digital: "Misha helped introduce Harry to Meghan and the two women are the best of friends.
"Meghan wasn't going to miss her wedding for the world.
"They've left Archie at home but it's only for a couple of days and they will be back on Saturday."
Two weeks ago Meghan jetted to New York to watch pal Serena Williams play in the final of the US Open, leaving Harry and Archie back at Frogmore Cottage.
The royal couple came under fire this summer for taking four private jets in 11 days after speaking out about climate change, but are said to have taken a public flight.
The source said: "They did fly commerical as Meghan was a bit stung by the criticism over her and Harry's use of private jets."
Misha’s wedding comes just days before the couple fly as a family-of-three for their 10-day royal tour in southern Africa, which starts on Monday.
The nuptials are set to be a star-studded affair, with the likes of model Karlie Kloss, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom on the guest list.
The Sussexes won’t be the only royals in attendance, as Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are also expected to attend.
The celebrations are said to be including a party at the legendary film studios Cinecitta, where numerous reputable directors have worked.
This is the second marriage for Misha, who was previously with Paddle8 founder Alexander Gilkes.
In their first joint interview on November 27, 2017 Meghan and Harry revealed they were set up by a female mutual friend.
Although they didn't name names, Misha has long been considered by some fans to be the matchmaker.
HOW DOES MISHA NONOO KNOW PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE?
Misha married first husband British socialite Alexander Gilkes, the co-founder of New York based online auction house Paddle8, in Venice in 2012.
Alexander knows Prince Harry from his Eton days, and is good friends with his cousin Princess Eugenie - who was, for a short while, employed by Paddle8.
The couple were guests at Prince William's wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011, while Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, as well as James Middleton, all attended their big day.
Alexander's younger brother Charlie also dated Pippa Middleton for several years.
The couple, who met in London in 2003, were reported to have split in October 2016.
She and Meghan are pals, and the Suits actress even wore Misha Nonoo's Easy 8 Husband Shirt, which costs £139, during her first public appearance with Harry - at the Invictus Games.
Speaking about their matchmaker, Harry said: "It was through her and then we met once and then twice back to back two dates in London, last July.
"And then it was I think about three, maybe four weeks later that I managed to persuade her to come and join me in Botswana.
"We camped out with each other under the stars - she came and joined me for five days out there, which was absolutely fantastic."
Misha chose Meghan’s May 2018 royal wedding to make her first appearance with boyfriend Michael.
The fashion designer was also among the guest at Meghan’s baby shower in New York, which involved the party booking out the city’s most expensive hotel suite.
MORE ON THE ROYAL FAMILY
Royal fans have been left gutted after baby Archie is left out of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Africa tour schedule.
In other royal news, we told you how Meghan Markle delighted royal fans with birthday thank you cards – but the notes were sent in Kensington Palace envelopes despite Sussex split.
We also revealed Princess Charlotte’s hair flip was hailed the ‘cutest thing ever’ as she arrived for her first day of school.