Before Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made the decision to step down from the royal family and relinquish their senior titles in January 2020, the Duchess of Sussex and her father-in-law, King Charles, were closer than ever. And apparently, their relationship “grew even stronger” after the future monarch learned that the duchess shared a birthday with someone he holds near and dear to his heart.

In an excerpt from Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, the Duke of Sussex candidly talked about how King Charles and Markle have always had a “strong” connection. However, their bond flourished even further when the monarch learned that the Suits alum shared a birthday with his “favorite person,” who was none other than his grandma, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

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“Towards the end of summer 2018 we went to Scotland, the Castle of Mey, to spend a few days with Pa,” the prince wrote, according to Hello! Magazine. “The bond between Meg and Pa, always strong, grew even stronger during that weekend.”

The Duke of Sussex continued, “One night, over pre-dinner cocktails, Fred Astaire playing in the background, it emerged that Meg shared a birthdate with Pa’s favorite person: Gan-Gan. August 4.”

Shortly after learning this special fact about the duchess, King Charles responded in the best way he knew how: telling sweet stories about himself and Gan-Gan. In the book, Prince Harry added, “‘Amazing,’ Pa said with a smile. At the memory of Gan-Gan, and the link between her and my bride, he suddenly became buoyant, telling stories I’d never heard, essentially performing, showing off for Meg.”

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According to The Independent, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother died “peacefully” in her sleep on March 30, 2002, at the age of 101. Her surviving daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, was right by her side. The Queen Mother’s death came less than two months after her daughter, Princess Margaret, died on February 9, 2002, at the age of 71.