Emma Watson has struck up a close friendship with the son of controversial tycoon Sir Philip Green, MailOnline can reveal.
The Harry Potter actress, who is well known for her 'woke' views about gender equality, has grown close to 28-year-old Brandon Green, say friends.
Emma was pictured with Brandon just earlier this month when they disembarked together from a helicopter in Battersea, west London.
She has grown close to Brandon after secretly splitting earlier this year from businessman Leo Robinton, 31, after two years together.
Emma Watson was pictured with Sir Philip Green's son Brandon on September 2 when they landed in Battersea on a private helicopter
Friends of the pair say that the left-wing eco-warrior actress has struck up an unlikely friendship with the tycoon's who spends time on his family's superyacht in Monaco
Friends of the unlikely pair say that Emma (left) is 'into' Brandon (right), but that they have kept their blossoming friendship under wraps for several months
Brandon Green (right) is close to his father Sir Philip and runs an arm of his retail business, although Brandon tends to remain out of the limelight more so than his sister Chloe (left)
Friends say they are shocked by the blossoming relationship because the left-wing actress and Brandon make an unlikely pairing.
Brandon is the son of British billionaire Sir Philip, former owner of BHS and Topshop owner who for two decades was one of the UK's most controversial and colourful retailers. Brandon now runs one arm of his tycoon father's empire.
Sir Philip's fortunes have fallen in recent years with the collapse of his Arcadia group in November with the closure of 500 stores and 13,000 jobs.
The businessman, 69, has also faced allegations of bullying and sexual harassment in 2018, which he denied.
A friend told MailOnline how the actress, who played Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, had become increasingly close to Brandon since May while keeping their relationship under wraps.
The friend said: 'Over the summer Brandon has been wooing Emma. She's into him, but has kept it secret as no one knows that things have cooled with Leo.
'She's been spending a lot of time with Brandon. He's really kind to her and she enjoys his company. We are surprised that no one has realised that they were together. Brandon and Leo look similar. She certainly has a type.'
Brandon was seen earlier this summer with his mother Tina on holiday in the French Riviera
Brandon, seen soaking up the sun on his family's boat in July, has been wooing Emma all summer, according to friends, who say that Emma quietly split from her boyfriend in May
Brandon has always had a lower profile than his sister Chloe, 30, who made headlines over her relationship with US model and convicted felon Jeremy Meeks - dubbed 'the hot felon' - who is the father of her child.
But the son of Sir Philip and his wife Tina has also enjoyed a billionaire lifestyle since his childhood, living for many years in the tax haven of Monaco with his parents and sister.
