Cressida Bonas admits she still has to ‘contend with’ being known as Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriend.
The 30-year-old is a successful actress and model, and currently stars as Sheila Caffell in ITV’s drama White House Farm.
However, due to her two-year relationship with the Duke of Sussex, Cressida finds that people are always trying to ‘label’ her.
Speaking to ES Magazine, the It Girl said: ‘No one likes to be labelled, no matter what it is about or where they come from. The hurdles and barriers for me are when I’m trying to do my work and people want to talk about him.
‘I work very hard and love what I do—I just want to continue. But it is still something I have to contend with. It is what it is. People will perhaps always ask me about it.’
Cressida was introduced to Harry by Princess Eugenie, and they dated from 2012 until 2014.
Now, Bonas is preparing to marry Harry Wentworth-Stanley after announcing their engagement last May – the same month that her ex Harry tied the knot with Meghan Markle, with Cressida attending the wedding.
And Cressida refused to ‘take a position’ on Meghan ‘out of respect’ for Harry and the Duchess of Sussex.
The actress said: ‘I wouldn’t take a position on that because it would be a headline. I want to talk about my work. And also out of respect.
‘What’s the expression? How would I feel if the shoe was on the other foot and it was an ex talking about me?
‘It feels like a long time ago, so when it comes up it feels strange because I’m in a very different place now — I’m getting married, I’ve learned a lot.’
Cressida has been receiving rave reviews for her performance in White House Farm, which is based on the infamous White House Farm murders in 1985.
Sheila, who suffered from mental health issues, was framed for killing her mother, father and two young sons before allegedly taking her own life.
Later, her brother Jeremy Bamber was found guilty of the murders and was sentenced to life in prison.
Previously, Cressida admitted she felt a ‘huge responsibility’ going into the role, telling the Mirror: ‘I wanted to make it as honest as I could. Looking at how mental health was treated then, it’s so different tot now. The way she was labelled I thought was so shocking. She was a very vulnerable person.’
The full interview appears in this week’s issue of ES Magazine, Thursday 16 January 2020.
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