In November 2015, Meghan Markle arrived at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards dinner with Misha Nonoo. She was still lesser-known at the time, but her presence did not go unnoticed. Markle dazzled in front of the hedged step-and-repeat at Spring Studios wearing a metallic mini-dress designed by her CFDA bestie.

Much has happened since that moment. About a year later, Nonoo is said to have introduced the actress to Prince Harry who said that he knew she was the one “from the very first time we met.”

Today, just over two years after the Fashion Fund appearance, Markle becomes the first American to be officially engaged to a British Royal (Note King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson never had an official engagement, according to Time magazine). She will also be the first American to formally join the British monarchy.

It didn’t take any time for the speculation on Markle’s wedding dress to reach fever pitch, and there’s little surprise the attention is turning to Nonoo. The princess-to-be always looks terrific in the CFDA member’s clothes – who can forget Markle’s turn at the Invictus Games in Toronto this past September wearing Nonoo’s statement-making ‘Husband’ casual white button-down shirt?

As for Nonoo, she is full of praise for her close friend. She recalled meeting Markle in Miami through a mutual friend in Evening Standard last month. “We were seated next to one another at a lunch and we got along like a house on fire,” Nonoo told the London paper. “She has the most remarkable and generous spirit. I aspire to be as philanthropic as she is, and to have as much of an impact as her.

“I love her to death,” she added. “She is the coolest girl in the world.”

We’re thrilled for the royal couple!