Prince Harry’s Secret Romance With Hilary Duff

Meghan Markle wasn't Prince Harry's first choice for an American actress wife — with the teenage royal once going gaga for an underage Hilary Duff!

The bizarre romance began in 2003, when Harry was 19 years old and already talking to insiders about his plans to move to America. Inspired by his older brother William's phone flirtations with Britney Spears, Harry decided to pursue his own pop princess — even though Hilary was only 16 years old while starring on the hit Disney Channel series "Lizzie McGuire."

The prince reportedly went nuts over Hilary when he caught her in the big-screen "Lizzie McGuire" movie. Royal insiders were soon reminded that the future Princess Diana was the same age when she first met Prince Charles — who was then dating her older sister. "Harry initiated the contact with Hilary," confided an insider. "He pulled a few strings and was able to get his private number to her!"

A "thrilled" Hillary — who had also already starred in "Agent Cody Banks" and "Cheaper by the Dozen" — sent the prince a box of promotional materials before making the first call. Then the couple were soon burning up the transatlantic phone lines! "It's puppy love for both of them," said an insider at the time. Another source reported that Hilary gushed: "This is just like a fairy tale, and he's my Prince Charming!"

The couple were still close when Hilary signed on to make 2004's "A Cinderella Story." But the talk cooled down as Prince Harry got serious with Chelsy Davy. The two would have an on-and-off romance through 2011. Hilary would announce her engagement to NHL player Mike Comrie in 2007, with the couple having a child in 2012.

The couple were still close when Hilary signed on to make 2004's "A Cinderella Story." But the talk cooled down as Prince Harry got serious with Chelsy Davy. The two would have an on-and-off romance through 2011. Hilary would announce her engagement to NHL player Mike Comrie in 2007, with the couple having a child in 2012.

Hilary never gave up on Prince Harry, though. In January 2016 — as a single mom after her divorce the previous year — she sat down with Ellen DeGeneres to discuss her dream man. The daytime talk hostess took her through a series of celeb shots. Hilary ended up choosing her old admirer over Harry Styles, Drake, Leonardo DiCaprio, John Mayer, Nick Jonas and Justin Bieber!