Future royal Meghan Markle 'could have been the next Bond girl'

She gained critical acclaim for her role as Rachel Zane in the US legal drama, Suits.

And Meghan Markle reportedly caught the eye of 007 producers while playing the paralegal last year, according to the Daily Mail. 

The 36-year-old actress was said to be shortlisted as Daniel Craig's next Bond girl but her blossoming romance with Prince Harry ruled her out of the line-up.

A film source told The Sun: "Meghan fits the role of a Bond girl perfectly. She's glamorous and sexy and a good actress.

"The role more recently has gone to actresses deemed to be rising stars, and Meghan certainly was seen as that before her relationship with Harry became public.

"The brief was to find a glamorous rising star, specifically someone American or Canadian."

According to reports, Meghan was one of five actresses narrowed down to play Craig's love interest in Bond 25, with Baywatch star Ilfenesh Hadera, 32 also making the shortlist.

However, her relationship with Harry hindered plans, with producers assuming she was out of the running.

The source added the engagement was the "final blow" as the humanitarian prepared to retire from her acting career to focus on royal duties.

The happy couple will marry on May 19 at Windsor Castle's famous St George's chapel.

The pair have chosen to ignore royal tradition and walk down the aisle on a Saturday so more people in the UK and across the globe can watch on TV or even come to Berkshire on their wedding day.

This article was first published on Daily Mail and is republished here with permission.