Trevor Engelson accurately forecast that his ex-wife, Meghan Markle, would marry Prince Harry when their romance first emerged in 2016, reality television personality Bethenny Frankel has claimed.
Ms Frankel revealed her personal text messages with Mr Engelson from that period, in which he expressed certainty that the Duchess of Sussex would secure a royal wedding.
His prediction came true in May 2018 when Meghan and Harry exchanged vows at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.
Ms Frankel first met Mr Engelson at Chicago's Soho House in 2016, three years after his divorce from Meghan.
Meghan Markle’s ex-husband ‘predicted Prince Harry wedding’ over text
|GETTY
According to The Real Housewives of New York star, the duo initially flirted before developing a professional relationship.
During their early conversations, Mr Engelson mentioned his divorce and former marriage to an actress from Suits, though Ms Frankel was unfamiliar with both the programme and Meghan at that time.
"He said his ex was a woman from a show called Suits. I didn't know what the show was. I didn't know the woman," Ms Frankel recounted.
Their brief romantic connection evolved into business discussions, with Mr Engelson proposing a television project about businesswomen that they would produce together.
Trevor Engelson and Meghan were married for three years before they got divorced in 2013
|GETTY
According to Ms Frankel, when she spotted photographs of the Duke of Sussex with someone new, she messaged Mr Engelson asking: "Is this your ex?"
After he confirmed with "Yup", she followed up with: "Do you think she's going to close?" - referring to whether Meghan would seal the deal through marriage.
Mr Engelson's response was unequivocal: "Oh, she'll close."
Ms Frankel emphasised his certainty during her appearance on The Toast podcast with Claudia Oshry, stating: "I don't want to get into more about that, but he was like, 'She'll close'."
Bethenny Frankel pictured at Wimbledon earlier this year | GETTYLATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Trevor Engelson and his wife, Tracey Kurland, pictured in 2018
|GETTY
The 55-year-old also disclosed that she contacted Mr Engelson on the night before the royal wedding, texting: "Holy s**t, your ex is going to be a princess."
Meghan and Mr Engelson began dating in 2004 and tied the knot in September 2011, before divorcing in August 2013.
Reports alleged Meghan returned her wedding ring to Mr Engelson via post, with her half-brother Thomas Markle Jr attributing their separation to "the pressure of Hollywood".
Following their split, Meghan dated Canadian chef Cory Vitiello before mutual friend Misha Nonoo introduced her to Prince Harry in May 2016.