In a surprising turn of events, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was seen flirting with Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes.

The 24-year-old defenseman was recently named the 15th captain in Canucks history, becoming the third defenseman to hold this prestigious title.

It seems that Markle was captivated by Hughes’ skill and charisma on the ice during Monday night’s game, as she even asked her husband, Prince Harry, to introduce her to the young athlete.

Markle and Harry made a surprise appearance at the Vancouver Canucks game, but it quickly became apparent that the Duchess had more than just hockey on her mind.

According to a source close to the Sussexes, Markle was thoroughly impressed by Hughes’ performance and couldn’t resist the opportunity to meet him personally.

Surprisingly, Harry didn’t seem to mind his wife’s interest in the talented defenseman.

In fact, the couple plans on attending more games in the near future, fueling speculation about Markle’s growing fascination with the sport.

Quinn Hughes, with a salary of $8,600,000 and a cap hit of $7,850,000 for the 2023-24 season, is undoubtedly a rising star in the hockey world.

Born on October 14th, 1999, Hughes was drafted 7th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2018 entry draft.

He has since signed two contracts worth a combined total of $51,912,500.

As of June 1st, 2023, his net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.

While Markle’s interest in Hughes may have caught many by surprise, some have raised eyebrows due to the significant age difference between the two.

Markle, who is old enough to be Hughes’ mother, seemed more focused on the Jumbotron than the actual game, leading to questions about her genuine interest in hockey.

Critics argue that it’s disheartening to see a former duchess attempting to ride on the coattails of a hardworking athlete like Hughes, who has dedicated himself to reaching the pinnacle of his career.

This incident comes at a time when Markle and Prince Harry are facing a harsh reality check regarding their popularity in the United States.

Political commentator Lauren Chen has criticized the couple’s attempts to establish themselves in the media industry since stepping back from their royal duties in 2020.

Despite producing memoirs, podcasts, and documentaries about their time in the royal family, Chen believes there is little appetite for their endeavors among the American public.

She argues that Markle was mistaken in thinking that marrying into royalty would automatically make her more popular in her home country.

Chen further highlights the couple’s lackluster performance in their media ventures.

The highly anticipated Spotify deal failed to live up to expectations, and their Netflix projects have also received criticism.

The recent docuseries, in particular, faced universal backlash.

It seems that the American audience is no longer interested in what Harry and Meghan have to offer.