Cressida Bonas feared being labelled an ‘it girl’ after relationship with Prince Harry

Cressida Bonas has said she was worried about being labelled an “it girl” following her relationship with Prince Harry.

The actor split from the British royal in 2014 after two years of dating.

Speaking to Australia’s Daily Telegraph, the 31-year-old explained she was worried about being labelled an “it girl” in case it overshadowed her acting career.

“I think terms like that are very narrow-minded,” she said.

“I think that I work very, very hard, I love what I do, and I just hope that this role has shown people what I can do and what I would like to do going forward and not be caught in a box in any way.

“No one likes to be labelled, no matter what it is about or where they come from.”

The actor, who is engaged to real estate broker Harry Wentworth Stanley, went on to explain that her previous relationship with Prince Harry is something she still has to address with the media, despite it having ended six years ago.

“The hurdles and barriers for me are when I’m trying to do my work and people want to talk about him,” she said in reference to the British royal.

“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.”

Speaking more generally, Bonas explained that a constant fear of imperfection has hindered her in the past.

“The fear of failing, the fear of rejection, the fear of not getting it right, the fear of not being perfect ... I think that has limited me in certain situations in my life,” she said without specifying her previous relationship with Prince Harry.

“I think I have grown confident and fortunately I have learnt not to sweat the small stuff too much.

“And I just think it has definitely given me a stronger sense of purpose and a stronger sense of what I want or don’t want.”