Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s love story is proof that love conquers all. A modern fairytale in the truest sense, the couple has fought the world and even the United Kingdom’s royal family to build a life of their own. Who would have thought that Harry would fall for an American actress and write a new chapter in the history of British royals? And, when the time came to choose between his duties as a royal and his family with Meghan, he chose the latter.
So, where did their love story begin? It was a blind date set up by their mutual friend that set the ball rolling for Harry and Meghan. From there, they made it to a royal wedding watched by people across the world, and now, they are focusing on growing their family away from the royal glare in America. Here’s a look at their relationship over the years.
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s First Blind Date
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first date was set up by a mutual friend and fashion designer, Misha Nonoo in early July 2016. The actress did not really understand the royal family craze. In a BBC interview, she recalled what she thought about the blind date.
She said, “Because I’m from the States, you don’t grow up with the same understanding of the royal family. I didn’t know much about him, so the only thing that I had asked [our mutual friend] when she said that she wanted to set us up, was, ‘Well is he nice?’ Cause if he wasn’t kind, it just didn’t seem like it would make sense.”
So, they met for a drink and hit it off immediately, so much so that they set up a date the next day as well.
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A Trip To Africa To Know Each Other
Harry was so sure about Meghan that he invited her on a trip to Africa just three or four weeks later. “I managed to persuade her to come and join me in Botswana. We camped out with each other under the stars. She came and joined me for five days out there, which was absolutely fantastic,” he said.
The royal added, “Then we were really by ourselves, which was crucial to me to make sure that we had a chance to get to know each other.”
When The World Found Out About Prince Harry And Meghan’s Relationship
After a couple of months of dating, reports about Harry and Meghan’s romance came out. Sunday Express quoted a source that Harry is “happier than he’s been for many years” and is “besotted” with American actress Meghan Markle. Reflecting on that time, the former actress said, “We had a good five, six months almost with just privacy, which was amazing.”
Meghan’s Introduction To The Royal Family
In late 2016, Meghan had already declared, “I’m the luckiest girl in the world!” Reports emerged that Harry had already introduced her to his father, Prince Charles. A couple of months later, he made his then-girlfriend meet his sister-in-law, Duchess Kate Middleton. Us Weekly reported that the queen had blessed the couple and was “delighted to see Harry in a loving relationship.”
Harry confirmed his and Meghan’s relationship in a formal statement on the incessant trolling of the actress. He asked everyone to stop the “wave of abuse and harassment” that had been directed at his ladylove.
Even Meghan explained how the scrutiny affected her. “There was a misconception that because I have worked in the entertainment industry that this would be something I would be familiar with,” she said. “But I’ve never been part of tabloid culture. I’ve never been in pop culture to that degree and lived a relatively quiet life.”
They went on multiple dates and trips and were even spotted holding hands and having a great time together on several occasions. The couple marked the end of 2017 by spending Christmas with each other and ringing in the new year with a romantic getaway to Toronto.
The Royal Engagement
Harry and Meghan’s engagement was announced once she finished shooting for ‘Suits’ and moved to London. The proposal had taken place a month prior to the engagement at Kensington Palace’s Nottingham Cottage. The ring chosen by Harry had a diamond from Botswana, where he realized that Meghan was his soulmate. He had that diamond flanked by diamonds from a brooch from the personal collection of his late mother, Princess Diana.
The official royal couple also made a photo call at Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden and looked absolutely happy together. About the proposal, Meghan gushed, “It was just an amazing surprise. It was just so sweet and natural and very romantic. He got on one knee. As a matter of fact, I could barely let [him] finish proposing. I was like, ‘Can I say ‘yes’ now?’”
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Dreamy Royal Wedding
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles were announced for the couple and they tied the knot on May 19, 2018, at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in England. The wedding was attended by hundreds of people and millions of others watched the nuptials on their television screens.
A statement from Kensington Palace about the wedding read, “The duke and duchess would like to thank everyone who took part in the celebrations of their wedding. They feel so lucky to have been able to share their day with all those gathered in Windsor and those who watched on television across the U.K., Commonwealth and around the world.”
Parenthood And Departure From Royal Life
Harry and Meghan announced that they were expecting their first child in October 2018. Palace’s statement confirmed the news by stating, “Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019. Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public.” Meghan gave birth to son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in May 2019.
However, the next year, the couple stepped down as working royals and decided to split their time between the United Kingdom and North America. They shared in a statement: “This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.”
They moved to America for good after a couple of months. Valentine’s Day brought a special announcement about their second baby in 2021. “We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child,” the couple shared in a statement.
Harry and Meghan rocked the world of the royals by spilling secrets and faults of the monarchy in an interview with Oprah. The move distanced them further from the royal family. But soon, happiness arrived in the form of their daughter, Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, who was born on June 6.
Despite issues in the royal family, the couple attended the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year with their kids. And even though many accusations have been put on the two, they continue to support each other.
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