In Meghan and Prince Harry’s first interview together after they announced their engagement, the young royal said he was sure his fiancée and his late mother would have been “thick as thieves”. 

The women have a number of things in common, from a love of fashion to a dedication to humanitarian work and just like Diana, Meghan Markle has already captured the hearts of the British public. 

And the US-born actress has certainly proved she could be the next people’s princess when she charmed royal fans during her first public engagement in Nottingham. 

Chatting to the young and old, the 36-year-old leaned in to greet well-wishers even rubbing their frozen hands between her own as she smiled at the crowds. 

During the couple’s first outing, they visited the Terrence Higgins Trust charity fair to mark World Aids Day - a subject close to Harry's heart thanks to the work his late mum Princess Diana did with HIV/AIDs patients.

And it seems the couple are keen to continue Princess Diana’s legacy - with Meghan already being renowned for her dedication to philanthropy.

Before meeting Harry, the bride-to-be had already travelled to Rwanda to raise awareness of the need for clean water supplies.

Prince Harry’s decision to introduce Meghan to the Terrence Higgins Trust, which raises awareness of AIDS and HIV, appeared to be a nod to his late mother. 

The royal has previously attempted to help break the stigma by taking a HIV test in public.

The cause was close to the heart of Prince Harry’s late mother Princess Diana, who was hailed for changing attitudes towards HIV and Aids. 

In April 1987 Princess Diana opened the UK’s first purpose built HIV/Aids unit at London Middlesex Hospital, where she was famously pictured shaking the hand of a man suffering with the illness. 

And although the pair never had the chance to meet, Meghan was reportedly inspired by Diana's humanitarian work and started following her example from a young age. 

In an interview with Woman magazine in August, Sonia Ardakanim, the mother of Meghan’s school friend Suzy, said the three of them would watch a taped copy of the 1981 wedding.

Sonia said: “The girls didn’t just think she was glamorous.

“They were impressed by her humanitarian work and they started following her example.” 

The pair also share a keen fashion sense, both prefer more relaxed and casual looks. 

A style icon, Diana often wore jeans, a shirt and a pair of Supergas, especially when promoting her charity work. 

Earlier this yer, Meghan followed in her footsteps when she wore ripped jeans and a plain white shirt at the Invictus Games – a sporting event for injured veterans founded by her husband-to-be.