The football star Meghan Markle’s friends warned her to “stay away from” while single
Meghan reportedly almost went on a date with the former England footballer back in 2013
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Back in 2013, a newly single Meghan Markle (opens in new tab) reportedly received a handful of Twitter messages from former England football star, Ashley Cole, asking her out on dates while she visited London.
- A journalist has claimed that, in 2013, Meghan Markle showed her messages she had been sent from Ashley Cole in which the former footballer invited her on dates.
- The former Suits star allegedly told the journalist that her friends had warned her 'to stay away from him' before saying 'I think I'll leave it."
- In other royal news (opens in new tab), Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pose for Thanksgiving photo and fans are all saying the same (opens in new tab)
Before Meghan Markle met Prince Harry and began her tumultuous life as a royal, the Duchess turned down the opportunity to become a WAG - a term used to refer to 'wives and girlfriends' of high-profile sportsmen.
According to The Mirror, several sources have claimed that Meghan almost went on a date with a very famous England footballer in 2013, before being warned about his past. Meghan was 32 at the time and had just divorced from her film producer husband Trevor Engelson.
One of the sources, journalist Katie Hind, has claimed that Meghan showed her Twitter messages she had been sent from Ashley Cole. The former England star, who played in the 2002, 2006 and 2020 World Cups but perhaps is more famous for being dumped by his ex-wife Cheryl Cole, allegedly asked to go on a date with the then Suits actress.
Writing in the Mail, Hind detailed her 2013 meeting with Meghan, saying, "[Meghan pulled an] iPhone from her handbag, she pointed to the picture of a good-looking man on her Twitter account, and said: 'Do you know this guy, Ashley Cole? He follows me and he keeps trying to talk to me on Twitter. He's trying really hard'."
The journalist replied to Meghan's question, "'I bet,' I said calmly. She continued: 'He wants to go out on a date while I'm over here in London. What do you think? Do you know him?'"
Hind shared with Meghan the details of Cole's 'love rat' past, detailing how he was well known for cheating. In response, Meghan allegedly said, "Some of my friends told me to stay away from him, too. I think I'll leave it."
The instigator of the failed and short-lived romance may have been former WAG Lizzie Cundy, who was married to former Chelsea striker Jason Cundy at the time. Speaking to Grazia in 2021, she claimed she tried to set Meghan up with Ashley Cole after they got on "like a house on fire" at a charity event.
Lizzie said, "Meghan said she loved London, and would love an English boyfriend, so I went through my phone to see who I knew that might be a good fit. I tried to find her a boyfriend - Ashley Cole wasn’t so keen - but I did try to fix her up, which is funny looking back."
In response to the claims, Cole’s brother, Matty Cole, told The Sun, "It's nonsense, completely made up. He definitely wouldn’t have to beg Meghan Markle for a date. She's not the kind of girl he goes for anyway, and he’s never fancied her."
Related articles:
- Meghan Markle draws comparison to Princess Diana as it’s revealed she quietly helped a family in need (opens in new tab)
- Resurfaced video highlights Prince Harry’s “desperation” over Meghan Markle’s mental health struggle (opens in new tab)
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's new loved-up video tribute for Elton John has fans all saying the same (opens in new tab)
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to receive 'heroic' award for standing against 'structural racism' of the Royal Family (opens in new tab)
- The Crown viewers gush over young Prince Harry moment in season 5 (opens in new tab)
Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse is royal news and entertainment writer for Goodto.com. She began her freelance journalism career after graduating from Nottingham Trent University with an MA in Magazine Journalism, receiving an NCTJ diploma, and earning a First Class BA (Hons) in Journalism at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute. She has also worked with BBC Good Food and The Independent.
-
-
Living Wild: How to Change Your Life: All you need to know about season 2 of Loose Women Sophie Morgan's show
Loose Women panelist Sophie Morgan returns to continue her epic bike road trip
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
15 Valentine's Day poems to melt your loved one's heart
Say 'I love you' with these Valentine's Day poems. We've rounded up our favourites ahead of February 14th...
By Ellie Hutchings • Published
-
Archie’s former nanny recalls first meeting with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: “I just felt so comfortable…it was just a normal home"
Lorren Khumalo was greeted by a bare-footed Harry
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse • Published
-
Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter says she is ‘mortified’ that her words were ‘twisted’ and used against Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Ndileka Mandela wants to set the record straight
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse • Published
-
Harry & Meghan director wished to explore monarchy’s ‘historical issues’ but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wanted to tell ‘love story’, claims Liz Garbus
The director did not see eye to eye with the royals
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse • Published
-
Meghan Markle's 'broken promise' to the Queen revealed by royal author
The Duchess of Sussex is said to have made a 'promise' to the Queen during her very first meeting but later broke it, a new book claims.
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
Why Meghan Markle thinks 'soothing' Prince Harry is set for 'Grammy nomination', according to insider
The Duchess of Sussex is said to be 'shoo-in' for her husband to be shortlisted for prestigious gong.
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
Meghan Markle reveals why she never wore colour on royal engagements
She didn’t want to ‘embarrass the family’
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse • Published
-
Meghan Markle refused royal mentoring from Sophie Wessex and ‘made it clear’ she only needed Harry’s guidance, claims royal book
Just as it was for Meghan, joining the royal family was a huge change for the Countess of Wessex
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse • Published
-
What did Jeremy Clarkson say about Meghan Markle? As Prince Harry responds to 'apology'
What did Jeremy Clarkson say about Meghan Markle in The Sun?
By Selina Maycock • Published