Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are no doubt one of the most popular couples in the world. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are also known to be the most controversial. There is no denying that their love story has defied rules and went against all odds.
Source: Buzz Aura
Their love story is a love story for the ages. But did you know that this great romance started out with Instagram and was then established with a simple blind date? Read on to know the romance timeline of Prince Harry and Meghan.
The blind date (July 2016)
During their engagement interview, Prince Harry and Meghan said that they first met sometime in early July 2016. A mutual friend of the two set them up on a blind date. But Harry actually noticed Meghan first through that mutual friend’s Instagram.
Source: Buzz Aura
Harry saw a video that Meghan was in and asked who she was. The friend told Meghan that Harry had asked about her and she checked his Instagram profile where she was impressed with his environmental shots. Then, Meghan gave him a DM and they exchanged numbers.
Camping trip in Botswana (August 2016)
For their third date, Prince Harry invited Meghan to go camping with him in Botswana, a place that was close to his heart. There, they lived in a tent with no luxuries for five days. It was a great chance for them to know each other in private.
Source: Yahoo
Harry could not believe that Meghan said “yes” on a camping trip with him. The lack of technology and community made them focus on getting to know each other and it was on this trip that Prince Harry later knew that Meghan was his soulmate.
Their Halloween night out (October 2016)
After getting a heads up that news of their relationship was about to break, Prince Harry was visiting Meghan in her Soho house for Halloween. The two decided to have one last fun night out in town before the whole world knew that they were a couple.
Source: Yahoo
The couple and some of their friends wore Halloween costumes and enjoyed the remaining hours of their privacy. Harry and Meghan knew that once the news was out, they would be hounded by the press and their dating life won’t be the same anymore.
Their relationship was revealed (in October 2016)
In late October 2016, news that Prince Harry and Meghan were dating broke out. The media reported that this relationship was more than a fling as friends of Harry have said that things were serious between the two.
Source: Channel24
During that time, the two had not yet acknowledged their relationship in public. But eagle-eyed fans noticed that Meghan had posted a picture on her now-defunct Instagram account where she was wearing the same beaded bracelets that Harry wore.
The confirmation (November 2016)
Prince Harry confirmed in a press conference that he and Meghan are in a relationship. Along with this confirmation, Harry appealed to the press and the paparazzi to spare Meghan and her loved ones and respect their privacy.
Source: Buzz Aura
Despite the appeal, the media and paparazzi continued to follow Meghan and her family around, digging up any dirt they could find. As a result, the couple has been lying low and has not been seen together in public for quite a while.
First public photograph (December 2016)
After laying low for some time, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been pictured together for the first time. The couple was spotted on their way to see the critically-acclaimed play, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the Gielgud Theatre.
Source: Meghan’s Mirror
The two were spotted as they were walking along Shaftesbury Avenue. Prince Harry seemed to be doing most of the talking with his hands doing a lot of gestures and Meghan was keeping her head down but appeared to be enjoying the conversation.
Seeing the Northern Lights (January 2017)
Prince Harry and Meghan were rumored to spend the New Year together to welcome 2017. The couple then took off to Norway to see the Northern Lights. During this time, it was their first vacation trip together known to the public.
Source: Pixabay
Prince Harry made arrangements to see to it that their trip was as private as possible. A source shared that aside from enjoying the two also went whale watching and enjoyed watching the sunsets in the snow.
First public event together (May 2017)
Meghan caused quite a stir when she showed up to watch and cheer Prince Harry as he played in a charity polo game in the Audi Polo Challenge at the Coworth Park Polo Club in Berkshire. The event sponsored two of Prince Harry’s charities, WellChild and Sentebale.
Source: Femme Actuelle
Meghan looked stylish in her navy asymmetric dress, which she paired with a white blazer. It was the first time the two showed up at an event, boldly showing that their relationship has just gotten stronger. The actress could be seen cheering Harry in the royal box.
Meghan’s birthday trip to Africa (August 2017)
Prince Harry planned a romantic getaway in Africa for Meghan’s birthday. The two spent three weeks traveling around the continent, with Harry showing Meghan around his favorite spots.
Source: Buzz Aura
Harry had spent months planning the romantic getaway and made arrangements to make sure that they get to have a good time privately. All staff involved in the places they visited were sworn to secrecy and taking pictures was prohibited.
Meghan’s Vanity Fair cover (October 2017)
Meghan was on the cover of Vanity Fair for its October 2017 issue. The issue was a hit because this was also the first time Meghan discussed her relationship with Prince Harry for the first time. She also discusses how life has been while dating a British prince.
Source: Meghan’s Mirror
In the interview, she admitted that she and Prince Harry had been dating for several months before the news broke out. She shared that the relationship had not changed her and that she would never define herself by the relationship she has.
Tea with the Queen (October 2017)
This month marked a big step in Prince Harry’s and Meghan’s relationship because they were invited to have tea with Queen Elizabeth II. The couple discreetly entered the palace in a station wagon with blacked-out windows.
Source: Mirror
The couple have been dating for over a year at that time. The private tea session in Buckingham Palace lasted for about an hour. This is definitely a milestone for the couple as the Queen’s opinion on their relationship was important to them.
The engagement (November 2017)
The palace announced that Prince Harry and Meghan became engaged. The engagement took place in London earlier that month. Prince Harry had informed the Queen and other close members of his family and he has also received the blessings of Meghan’s parents.
Source: Concepto Kinesico
The two shared that the proposal was nothing fancy – it just happened one quiet night while Meghan was roasting a chicken. The engagement ring has three diamonds – one ethically sourced from Botswana and two diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection.
Meghan’s first Christmas with the royal family (December 2017)
Meghan joined the royal family for Christmas 2017 at Sandringham. She was also included in the traditional royal family’s gift exchange. Her gag gift for Prince William was considered a hit. And it was the moment that made her pass the “audition” for Harry’s family.
Source: Town & Country
Meghan joined the royal family for lunch on Christmas Eve and a church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church. Traditionally, these events were only attended by official members of the royal family.
Meghan gets baptized into the Church of England (March 2018)
Two months before she gets married to Prince Harry, there was a secret ceremony in the Royal Chapel at St. James’ Palace in London conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The ceremony was to baptize Meghan and she was confirmed into the church afterward.
Source: Buzz Aura
The ceremony was a 45-minute service that was also attended by Harry, King Charles, and Queen Consort Camilla. After being baptized and confirmed, Meghan is now able to join her husband-to-be at Holy Communion.
Prince Harry and Meghan’s private wedding (May 2018)
Three days before their royal wedding, Prince Harry and Meghan had a private wedding ceremony in their backyard. Nobody knew and they had no guests except the officiant, Archbishop of Canterbury. They wanted a ceremony that was just between the two of us.
Source: Pixabay
It was something they could cherish before the big royal wedding for all the world to see. The Archbishop later confirmed this but also said that the private wedding was not legally binding – their marriage only was official during the actual royal wedding.
The royal wedding (May 2018)
The royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan happened on May 19, 2018, in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. On the morning of the wedding, Queen Elizabeth II conferred on Harry the title of Duke of Sussex.
Source: Buzz Aura
There were two receptions after the wedding. The first one was hosted by the Queen in St. George’s Hall for everyone who attended the ceremony. A second reception occurred later at Frogmore House, for family and close friends of the bride and groom.
First royal engagement as a married couple (May 2018)
Prince Harry and Meghan’s first official royal engagement as a married couple took place a few days after their royal wedding. The engagement was the 70th birthday patronage celebration of King Charles, which took place in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.
Source: Cosmopolitan
The couple’s decision to attend this event as their first royal engagement is a thoughtful one considering how King Charles had walked Meghan down the aisle at the last minute on her wedding day.
Meghan confirms first pregnancy (October 2018)
On October 15, 2018, Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan were expecting their first child. During that time, the Sussexes were doing their first royal tour of New Zealand and Australia.
Source: Page Six
It was said that Harry and Meghan told the royal family at Princess Eugenie’s wedding. A source said that Princess Eugenie was not happy about the news stealing her thunder and felt that the couple should have waited to share the news on another day.
The Fab Four splits up (November 2018)
The couples Prince Harry and Meghan and Prince William and Kate were fondly called the “Fab Four” by the media. But in November 2018. Prince Harry and Meghan split from their joint court with Prince William and Kate at the Kensington Palace office.
Source: Mashable
It was believed that Meghan’s arrival had changed the dynamics of how Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate worked. But the move was considered practical since Prince Harry and Meghan had strong views and these views were not always aligned with the other couple.
Moving to Frogmore Cottage (April 2019)
Aside from splitting their offices, Prince Harry and Meghan also decided to split away from their household in Kensington Palace. This was when rumors of the feud between the two couples took its peak.
Source: Homes & Gardens
Prince Harry and Meghan moved to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, a month ahead of the birth of their first child. Frogmore Cottage sits on the grounds of Frogmore House, where the couple had their intimate wedding reception for their family and friends.
Welcoming their firstborn (May 2019)
Prince Harry and Meghan welcomed their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor early morning on May 6, 2019. At that time, the baby still had no name as a beaming Prince Harry told the press that Meghan and the baby were healthy.
Source: Buzz Avenue
Harry and Meghan did not pose for photographers and TV crews on the hospital steps with their baby as traditionally expected. They later showed Archie to the public through the press 2 days later at Windsor Castle.
First wedding anniversary (May 2019)
Prince Harry and Meghan shared some never-before-seen photos of their royal wedding on their joint Instagram account, @SussexRoyal, to mark their first anniversary. The snapshots shared included many moving moments of their special day.
Source: Sunday Edit
The couple celebrated their first year as husband and wife by having a quiet and traditional Sunday lunch with Meghan’s mother, Doria, who was in town to meet baby Archie. It’s noted that Meghan had just given birth a few days earlier.
Archie’s baptism (July 2019)
The royal family gathered at Windsor Castle for Archie’s christening. The baptism was a private event held in the Queen’s private chapel. The guest list was very small with only about less than 30 people in attendance.
Source: Town & Country
The ceremony was short, lasting 20 minutes. Then, the christening portraits where the attending royal family posed were taken. It is noted that the Queen was not present as she already had another engagement scheduled for that date.
Meghan throws a party for Prince Harry (September 2019)
On Prince Harry’s 35th birthday, Meghan recreated their 2016 Botswana camping trip in their own backyard. If you remember, the camping trip was their third date and it was the trip that made them realize that they were each other’s soulmates.
Source: Yahoo
Meghan wanted to recreate their camping adventures in Botswana. She set up a tent, got some sleeping bags, and cooked dinner. She wanted to bring that happy moment back to him on his special day. Harry was incredibly touched by the gesture.
Meghan and Harry announce they will take time off for family (October 2019)
Days after Meghan submitted a lawsuit against Associated Newspapers for publishing parts of a letter she wrote to her father, the couple announced that they would take 6 weeks off from their royal duties to focus on getting some family time.
Source: Yahoo! Life
Buckingham Palace announced the next month that Prince Harry and Meghan would be spending the holidays with Meghan’s mother. It was also announced that this decision has the support of Queen Elizabeth II.
Stepping down as senior royals (January 2020)
While they were staying in Canada, Prince Harry and Meghan shocked the world when they announced their plans to step down as senior royals. In their statement, they said they would work to become financially independent while still supporting Her Majesty the Queen.
Source: Buzz Aura
Days after the announcement, the royal family held a Sandringham Summit to discuss the Sussexes. After, Queen Elizabeth II released a statement saying that they support Prince Harry and Meghan’s wishes to live a more independent life as a family.
Second wedding anniversary (May 2020)
Prince Harry and Meghan’s second wedding anniversary happened during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The couple and Archie were doing their quarantine in Los Angeles, California. The couple cleared their work schedule to just spend the day with their son.
Source: News.com Australia
They chose to celebrate a quiet day together in their home in Los Angeles. For their second anniversary gifts, they both gave each other something based on cotton, which is the traditional symbol for second anniversaries.
Meghan’s miscarriage (July 2020)
The revelation that Meghan had a miscarriage due to stress was made in a November 2020 op-ed for The New York Times. Meghan shared that she and Harry comforted one another while she was in the hospital.
Source: Us Weekly
Meghan was changing Archie’s diaper when she felt a painful cramp that made her fall to the floor. “I knew, as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second,” Meghan wrote.
Announcing the second pregnancy (February 2021)
Prince Harry and Meghan made Valentine’s Day a little more special by announcing that Meghan was pregnant with their second child. They did this by posting a black and white picture of the couple with Meghan cradling a visible baby bump.
Source: Vogue India
A spokesperson for the couple confirmed that Archie is going to be a big brother and that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed. It was confirmed later on in their interview with Oprah Winfrey a few days later that they were expecting a baby girl.
Third wedding anniversary (May 2021)
Prince Harry and Meghan have made it a tradition to post an interesting and intimate photos about their lives during their wedding anniversaries. But this year, the couple chose to do things differently.
Source: m-Indicator via Facebook
For their third wedding anniversary chose the moment to announce that the Archewell Charity Organization is continuing its partnership with World Central Kitchen and would be opening a Community Relief Center in Mumbai, India.
Welcoming their second child (June 2021)
Prince Harry and Meghan announced that their baby girl, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten Windsor has arrived. She was born at 11:40 AM at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Both mother and child were healthy enough to recuperate at home.
Source: BuzzFeed News
They got the name Lilibet after Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet. Her middle name, Diana, is obviously named after Princess Diana. Lilibet is the most senior royal in the line of succession that was born overseas, making her a dual US-UK citizen.
Attending the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee (June 2022)
Prince Harry and Meghan returned to the UK to attend the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. They attended the Trooping of the Colour, which marked the first time in two years that they made a public appearance in the UK.
Source: StyleCaster
It was noted that they were no longer on the balcony with the rest of the senior royals. Their visit also gave the couple a chance to introduce Lili to the Queen. They celebrated Lili’s first birthday privately at the Frogmore Cottage home.
Attending the Queen’s funeral (September 2022)
Prince Harry and Meghan happened to already be in the United Kingdom for the WellChild Awards in London when Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022. Prince Harry flew to Scotland to be with the Queen but she passed away while he was on his flight.
Source: The Mirror
The couple had a surprise public reunion with Prince William and Kate Middleton a few days later as they greeted well-wishers at Windsor Castle. The Fab Four’s public appearance gave the people hope that all can still be well within the royal family.
Harry and Meghan Vol. I show on Netflix (December 2022)
The long-awaited Netflix docuseries, Harry and Meghan, dropped the first three episodes on December 8. 2022. In the docuseries, the couple gave the public an inside look at their relationship, family life, and life as royals.
Source: Market Watch
The series opened with the couple having an emotional discussion about their decision to step back from the royal family. The royal family was said to be “relieved” that this series was not as explosive as the Oprah Winfrey interview, which caused a lot of tension.
Lilibet’s baptism (March 2023)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex hosted a small ceremony for the christening of Lili. The ceremony took place at their home in Montecito, California. The young princess was christened by the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, Rev John Taylor.
Source: Marca
Prince Harry and Meghan did send an invitation to King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate but they did not attend the ceremony. Among the guests that did attend were Meghan’s mother, Doria, and Lili’s godfather, Tyler Perry.
The car chase (May 2023)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were involved in a nearly catastrophic car chase across New York City on May 16, 2023. It happened after the couple left the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards.
Source: Page Six
Highly aggressive paparazzi started to follow them around which resulted in the car chase. The couple was understandably shocked by the incident, which was quite similar to the way Princess Diana had died in a car accident after being chased down by the paparazzi.