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Ever since ascending into the royal spotlight by marrying Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's life has been under intense public scrutiny. While fans celebrated her fairytale romance, details of her previous 7-year marriage to producer Trevor Engelson have been murkier - dogged by whispers of infidelity that have colored perceptions of her character.
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These unproven allegations primarily center around two men - Canadian hockey player Peter Holland and former NHL star Michael Del Zotto. Social media posts between Markle and Holland from 2013 imply a flirty exchange, with him offering to pick her up from the airport. The next year, as she tweets frustrations about early call times, he responds saying he'd be happy to help with travel if it "makes you a little bit easier."
Seeing Markle with athletes fueled the long-used term "puck bunny" - describing women more interested in players for looks than the sport. This label, exacerbated by paparazzi-stalked celebrity culture, painted Meghan as caring more for hockey heartthrobs than her marriage. While no proof of infidelity exists, the rumors amplified existing doubts.
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Another of Markle's alleged affairs was with Michael Del Zotto. Pictures on social media from 2013 show them spending time together in New York, just months before her divorce filing cited "irreconcilable differences." Sources close to Engelson claimed he was devastated by the split, insinuating Del Zotto was more than a friend.
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While Markle maintains these relationships were platonic, the speculation reinforced a narrative of a woman willing to engage in extramarital affairs. Some view these as manufactured smear campaigns, yet others see patterns that call her fidelity into question. Regardless of truth, the whispers tarnished public trust in her first marriage.
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Even as she's moved past previous romances, embracing royal duties as Duchess of Sussex, the cloud of speculation lingers. The terms "puck bunny" still follow, a reminder that escaping scrutiny is difficult in the public eye. Some accusations may be unfair, yet they've undoubtedly shaped opinions of her character through salacious gossip presented as fact.
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Whether founded or not, the rumors resonated because of existing doubts. They continue affecting perceptions of Markle today - recalling intimate rumors just as she finds stability. In an era where private lives face relentless fame-mongering, rehabilitating one's reputation from allegations proves challenging without absolute vindication.
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For Meghan Markle, the whispers of purported affairs that coincided with the dissolution of her first marriage will likely endure as part of her narrative. As with many public figures, unproven rumors take on lives of their own, casting long shadows that are difficult to outrun despite all efforts to move forward.
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