Idris Elba is just an enamored with Meghan Markle as the rest of us, recently praising the African-American actress who will soon be walking down the aisle to marry Prince Harry.

The Black Brit praised the former Suits star while speaking ahead of a dinner at Buckingham Palace, believing Markle will be nothing short of a role model, according to Sky News.

“Meghan Markle, as a person, regardless of her color, is a role model. As a strong woman marrying into our Royal Family, she’s going to be a role model for any woman.”

He went on, “The point is that, of course, our society is one of mixed heritage, and it’s nice to see Meghan within the Royal Family. 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.”

“Our country is built on our monarchy, we love our monarchy and it’s good to be connected.”

The dinner was in celebration of The Prince’s Trust, a charity founded by Prince Charles that funded much of Elba’s early theatrical training. Now a proud ambassador, the Luther star shared his story.

“If I pinpoint a time when I didn’t have any money, my parents didn’t have any money, I needed some help, the Prince’s Trust came through – the Prince’s Trust and my Auntie May.

“The Prince’s Trust gave me some money to go to the National Youth Music Theatre. And I remember if I hadn’t got that money, I wouldn’t have ever gone into that theatre show, I wouldn’t have had that experience of going into the National Theatre, and I probably wouldn’t be standing here today, that’s sort of the truth.”