Who knew?! Meghan Markle has apparently had a thing for British boys for a while now! The Suits star -- back before she was the Duchess of Sussex -- was DM'ing English X-Factor finalist singer Matt Cardle after the breakup of her first marriage, in hopes of finding romance across the pond!

Markle, it was revealed by The Sun was communicating with Cardle just months before meeting Prince Harry! The report claims Cardle started following Meghan on social media because he watched Suits and "thought she was beautiful." A source tells The Sun, "He was stunned when she followed him immediately back and started messaging him,' they said. 'She said she was a big fan of his work."

It didn't go much farther, however, because Matt ended up ghosting Meghan when he met the woman who would become his current girlfriend, Amber Hernaman, whom he credits with his sobriety.

Meanwhile, Markle was being pursued by British footballer Ashley Cole (right), but that never panned out because soon after, she met Harry and the rest is fairytale history!