Oh, how things change! Meghan Markle and Billy Eichner chatted up a storm during the U.K. premiere of the Lion King on July 14. But on his appearance on Today with Hoda and Jenna on Tuesday, July 23, Billy revealed that they have one thing in common — they studied the same major at the same university.

“Meghan and I both went to college together — we were both theatre majors at Northwestern. We didn’t know each other when we were there, but we were there at the same time,” the 40-year-old, who plays Timon in the movie, said. “In the middle of this huge royal premiere you’re looking at, right there we’re having a very casual conversation about our acting teachers at Northwestern.”

The Lion King Cast
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

Billy also revealed that the 37-year-old congratulated him for his successful career. It was there when Meg joked about her own turnout. “And she said, ‘Well, things took a little turn,'” Billy explained. “She was lovely, and they were so cool and down to earth,” he continued. “You would never know that they’re royals.”

In a recent interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the comedian spilled the tea on what it was like for the whole cast to meet the royal couple. “Prince Harry and Meghan Markle came, and Beyoncé was there, and Sir Elton John was there. And I was there, randomly,” he joked. “And it was great, and we were all kind of nervous, even Beyoncé.”

When Jimmy, 51, seemed surprised at Queen B, 37, feeling anxious to meet the former actress, Billy explained that the guidelines expected to be followed when meeting a royal are what made the encounter intimidating. “What makes you nervous is in the days leading up to it, they email you a protocol of how you’re supposed to greet Prince Harry and they’re very intense about it. I’m not kidding,” he admitted. “You’re supposed to say, ‘Your Royal Highness.’ You can’t speak until your hands are in a handshake with his.”

Fortunately, his experience with both the duke and duchess was a positive one!