When Meghan Markle became engaged to Prince Harry in 2017, the British press embarked on an intense investigation into her past relationships and friendships.
This included hockey star Michael Del Zotto, who had been friendly with Markle years earlier when she was filming the TV series Suits in Toronto.
In a recent interview, Del Zotto opened up about the harassment he faced from the paparazzi who were convinced he had dated Markle.
Michael Del Zotto and Meghan Markle
Del Zotto’s trouble began when tabloids dug up an old photo of him with Meghan Markle and their mutual friend Rick Hoffman, who co-starred on Suits.
Del Zotto had got Hoffman a signed hockey hat as a gift since he was a fan of the show.
The three of them had grabbed drinks together one night in Toronto while Markle was married to her first husband.
Years later, this picture sparked sensationalized stories about a supposed relationship between the hockey player and the future royal.
“We had a picture of us together where I think it was the three of us were out. I believe it was Soho House, in Toronto. We had a drink before dinner,” Del Zotto told the Spittin Chiclets podcast.
The hockey player soon found himself bombarded by reporters looking to substantiate the fabricated rumors.
British tabloids even got access to his mother’s phone number and started hounding her about the alleged relationship.
“I started getting calls, like we’re friends, you know, I was friends with her through Rick.”
A confused Del Zotto was confronted after practice one day by a paparazzo shouting questions about “relations” with Markle. He sprinted to his car only to find several photographers waiting to ambush him.
Del Zotto recalled his shock at becoming tabloid fodder overnight thanks to an innocuous photo with someone who later became British royalty.
The experience taught him the importance of being careful about public friendships and images.
“You got to be careful with who you’re friends with and what pictures you post out there because nothing ever happened but the paparazzi somehow found me,” He sentenced.
Ultimately, while embarrassing for Del Zotto, the incident highlighted the tactics of the British press and foreshadowed the extreme media scrutiny Meghan Markle would continue facing as part of the royal family.