Idris Elba, girlfriend Sabrina Dhowre meet and dine with Prince Charles

On Thursday, Idris Elba met with Prince Charles in London, where he reportedly gushed about Meghan Markle and introduced Charles to his new girlfriend.

Sabrina Dhowre, the former Miss Vancouver, was all smiles as she shook Prince Charles’ hand at the One Million Young Dinner at Buckingham Palace.

And while Elba was grinning widely as he introduced his own girlfriend to the royal family, he couldn’t help but gush about another powerful woman: Meghan Markle.

A ‘beacon’ for the people

Elba praised Markle, who is engaged to marry Prince Harry next summer, as a “beacon” to the people of England.

“Meghan Markle, as a person, regardless of her color, is a role model,” he told Sky News. “As a strong woman marrying into our royal family, she’s going to be a role model for any woman.”

–Idris Elba creates new comedy based on his childhood in London–

“The point is that of course our society is one of mixed heritage and it’s nice to see Meghan within the Royal Family,” he added. “It’s great.”

“And of course she’s going to be a beacon and of course she’s going to be someone that people look towards.”

The royal wedding

There’s plenty to be excited about, too. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have officially set a wedding date.

Kensington Palace announced on Friday that the wedding will take place on May 19, 2018, at St. George’s Chapel in London’s Windsor Castle.

–Idris Elba says he will never remarry–

And while the country gets ready for the big wedding, Markle is getting closer to her future in-laws. She reportedly recently went to the queen’s Christmas party for the palace staff, and she’s set to attend the Christmas party with the rest of the family on Christmas Day.

That makes the history-making Markle the first in yet another aspect: she is the first unmarried partner to be invited to the Christmas party at the queen’s country home.