Maria Sharapova engaged to art dealer Alexander Gilkes... who is ex-husband of Meghan Markle's BFF Misha Nonoo: 'This was our little secret'

  • The 33-year-old retired Russian tennis superstar took to Instagram to announce that the 41-year-old British businessman had popped the question 
  • The two have been quietly dating since 2018 
  • He was married to popular New York fashion designer Mischa Nonoo for four years until their split in October 2016 
  • Nonoo has been close friends with Markle for years as they were even seen together at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in New York back in 2015 
  • The royal ties do not end with Markle as Gilkes also attended Eton College in Windsor, England with Princes William and Harry 
  • Gilkes was a guest at the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton back in 2011, and his younger brother Charlie dated Pippa Middleton for years before splitting with the part-time columnist and full-time socialite
  • Sharapova is one of ten women to hold the career Grand Slam and is the only Russian to have accomplished that feat 

Maria Sharapova announced her engagement to art dealer Alexander Gilkes who happens to be the ex-husband of Meghan Markle's BFF Misha Nonoo.

The  33-year-old retired Russian tennis superstar took to Instagram to announce that the 41-year-old British businessman had popped the question.

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 She shared a gallery of loved-up images and videos with the caption: 'I said yes from the first day we met [heart emoji] This was our little secret, wasn’t it [diamond ring and champagne emojis] @gilkesa'

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Big news: Maria Sharapova announced her engagement to art dealer Alexander Gilkes who happens to be the ex-husband of Meghan Markle's BFF Misha Nonoo
BFF: Nonoo has been close friends with Markle for years as they are seen here together at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in New York back in November 2015

The caption appeared to be a reference to the fact that the two have been quietly dating since 2018. 

Gilkes made a similar post as he wrote: 'Thank you for making me a very very happy boy. I look forward to a lifetime of loving you, and learning from you @mariasharpova. #[diamond ring emoji]' 

He was married to popular New York fashion designer Nonoo for four years until their split in October 2016.

Just the two of us: Maria's  caption appeared to be a reference to the fact that the two have been quietly dating since 2018, as they are seen in June 2018

Their extravagant 2012 wedding in Venice, Italy included quite the guest list with Princess Beatrice and Eugenie in addition to James Middleton and even featured a performance from Lana del Rey.

Nonoo has been close friends with Markle for years as they were even seen together at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in New York back in November 2015.

Misha went on to marry oil heir Mikey Hess in September 2019 as they welcomed a baby boy earlier this year. 

Former flame: He was married to popular New York fashion designer Nonoo for four years until their split in October 2016
Lap of luxury: Their extravagant 2012 wedding in Venice, Italy included quite the guest list with Princess Beatrice and Eugenie in addition to James Middleton and even featured a performance from Lana del Rey, as they are seen in July 2015

The royal ties do not end with Markle as Gilkes also attended Eton College in Windsor, England with Princes William and Harry.

Gilkes was a guest at the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton back in 2011, and his younger brother Charlie dated Pippa Middleton for years before splitting with the part-time columnist and full-time socialite.  

Sharapova is one of the most decorated tennis players of all-time as she is one of ten women to hold the career Grand Slam and is the only Russian to have accomplished that feat. 

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Loved up: Sharapova and Gilkes seen in New York City back in May 2019
Living legend: Sharapova is one of the most decorated tennis players of all-time as she is one of ten women to hold the career Grand Slam and is the only Russian to have accomplished that feat, as she is seen in July 2015

Back in February, she announced her retirement from tennis in an essay for Vanity Fair.

She wrote: 'I'm new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis – I'm saying goodbye. But as I embark on my next chapter, I want anyone who dreams of excelling in anything to know that doubt and judgement are inevitable. You will fail hundreds of times and the world will watch you. Accept it. Trust yourself. I promise you that you will prevail.' 

She was previously engaged to Slovenian basketball player and Los Angeles Lakers champion Sacha Vujacic  in 2011 after two years of dating. She then confirmed their split in August 2012.

Sharapova then moved on to a three year relationship with Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov before splitting in 2015. 

Hollywood nights: She was previously engaged to Slovenian basketball player and Los Angeles Lakers champion Sacha Vujacic in 2011 after two years of dating. She then confirmed their split in August 2012, as they are seen together in Turkey back in November  2011
Ace: Sharapova then moved on to a three year relationship with Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov before splitting in 2015, they are seen in London back in June 2014

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