Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s relationship timeline – from first date to becoming parents

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s whirlwind romance started in 2016. The couple has since revealed much more unbelievable particulars about all the pieces from their first dates in London to their married life in California six years on, in their Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan and in Harry’s memoir, Spare. 

Prince Harry and Meghan formally stepped again from royal life in March 2020, lower than two years after tying the knot. The couple initially moved to Los Angeles after spending time in Canada and have been settling into their new life in Montecito with their youngsters, Prince Archie, 4, and two-year-old Princess Lilibet.

HELLO! takes a glance again at Harry and Meghan’s royal romance from the very begin – which solely started in 2016 when the couple have been launched by a mutual buddy. A 12 months later, their engagement was introduced. Learn on for the month-by-month timeline of their blossoming relationship…

July 2016 – First assembly in London

Harry and Meghan first met at Soho Home’s Dean Avenue Townhouse London in summer time of 2016 after being arrange by a mutual buddy after Harry noticed Meghan in one in every of their Instagram posts. The Prince remembers the second he first laid eyes on his future spouse of their Netflix docuseries.

Harry confirmed in his e book that it was the couple’s mutual buddy, Violet von Westenholz, who put him in contact with then-Fits star Meghan.

The pair started exchanging messages and arrange a primary date at Soho Home at 76 Dean Avenue whereas Meghan was on the town to look at the Wimbledon match.

August 2016 – Botswana for the third date

For his or her third date, Harry whisked Meghan away to Botswana, the place the pair camped below the celebrities. The couple later returned to Botswana for Meghan’s birthday the next 12 months. 

October 2016 – Royal rumours

In late October, information broke that Prince Harry had a brand new girlfriend. The Sunday Specific was first to report that the sixth-in-line to the throne had discovered love with Fits actress Meghan. In November 2016, romance rumours intensified after Harry was noticed celebrating Halloween together with his Toronto-based love on the metropolis’s Soho Home. Other than attending the spooky bash, the couple reportedly spent nearly all of the time at Meghan’s plush residence, away from the media glare.

On 8 November, the couple’s relationship was made official when Harry issued a prolonged enchantment to the media on behalf of his girlfriend. Within the uncommon assertion made in response to the harassment, “sexism and racism” Meghan had obtained, Harry requested for privateness. Within the heartfelt put up, he acknowledged that there’s “important curiosity about his personal life” however appealed to fair-minded individuals to respect Meghan’s privateness. He stated he was additionally “nervous” and “deeply disillusioned” that he had not been capable of defend the Toronto-based actress.

Just a few weeks later, Meghan was noticed purchasing at Entire Meals grocery store on Kensington Excessive Avenue, confirming rumours that she was visiting Harry and staying at his close by Kensington Palace house. Their transatlantic relationship was in full drive.

December 2016 – First official images

Meghan had wrapped up filming Fits, however could not meet her Prince as he was on a two-week tour of the Caribbean. Harry’s tour commitments completed in early December, when he reportedly took a detour to spend treasured time with Meghan in Toronto, as an alternative of flying straight house. The Prince travelled 1,700 miles out of his manner.

A few weeks later, they have been reunited when Meghan flew to London. Retaining a low profile, Harry and Meghan went purchasing for a Christmas tree at Pines and Needles in Battersea. “They got here in at about 8.30pm final evening,” a spokesperson for the store instructed HELLO! . “Prince Harry was with Meghan and hilariously the workers solely recognised Meghan at first – they have been so excited to have the lady from Fits there. It wasn’t notably chilly however they have been gloved and hatted out.”

A few days later, Harry and Meghan have been pictured having fun with an evening on the theatre at The Curious Incident of the Canine within the Night time Time.

January 2017 – Romantic time in Norway

Harry and Meghan kicked off the New Yr with a romantic getaway to Norway. The pair holidayed within the city of Tromso, staying in an opulent, secluded cabin. Shortly after, Harry is claimed to have launched Meghan to his sister-in-law, Princess Kate.

February 2017 – Soho, London

Every week earlier than their first Valentine’s Day as a pair, Harry and Meghan have been noticed holding fingers as they left London’s Soho Home. The couple have been reportedly in their very own little world as they dined on the personal member’s membership earlier than retiring to the Prince’s house at Kensington Palace.

March 2017 – Montego Bay, Jamaica

Eager to introduce Meghan to extra of his associates, Harry introduced his actress love as his plus one to a buddy’s marriage ceremony in Jamaica. The couple have been noticed leaving the church, earlier than heading to the reception at a close-by lodge. Meghan then returned to Toronto the place filming for Fits resumed.

Might 2017 – Ascot and Pippa Middleton’s marriage ceremony

The actress was again within the UK a few months later and prompted fairly a stir when she attended a high-profile polo match in Ascot to look at her boyfriend compete. Meghan might be seen applauding Harry from the royal field, and was later pictured kissing her beau after the charity recreation. Meghan’s attendance on the high-society affair as a royal girlfriend was a certain signal that an engagement was on the playing cards.

Pippa Middleton’s marriage ceremony on 19 Might was one other essential outing for the couple. Although she was not invited to the church ceremony, Meghan joined her boyfriend on the extra personal reception held on the Middleton household house.

August 2017 – Romantic vacation in Africa

Harry and Meghan appeared the image of happiness as they arrived in Africa to have a good time Meghan’s thirty sixth birthday. The royal and the actress have been photographed strolling collectively from a airplane, with Harry lovingly inserting his arm round his girlfriend. Harry took his girlfriend to the Meno a Kwena camp in Botswana – a spot that he has visited on a number of events since his first keep 20 years in the past. A supply on the time stated: “Harry has been planning this vacation for a very long time. He is made the journey extremely romantic. They’re going to go on boats throughout the lake, stroll within the bush at daybreak and camp below the celebrities.“

September 2017 – Self-importance Truthful interview

Meghan spoke brazenly about her relationship with Harry for the primary time in an interview with Self-importance Truthful. The Fits actress, who had been relationship the Prince for over a 12 months at this level, instructed the journal that the couple are “very comfortable and in love”.

“I can inform you that on the finish of the day I believe it is actually easy,” she stated. “We’re two people who find themselves actually comfortable and in love. We have been very quietly relationship for about six months earlier than it grew to become information, and I used to be working throughout that entire time, and the one factor that modified was individuals’s notion. Nothing about me modified. I am nonetheless the identical individual that I’m, and I’ve by no means outlined myself by my relationship. We’re a pair, we’re in love. I am certain there shall be a time after we must come ahead and current ourselves and have tales to inform, however I hope what individuals will perceive is that that is our time.”

Later that month, Harry and Meghan made their official debut as a pair on the royal’s Invictus Video games, which have been held in Toronto. Meghan attended the opening ceremony however was seated a piece away from her royal boyfriend. On the closing ceremony on the finish of the week, Harry briefly left his VIP field to hang around with Meghan, her mum, and her associates Jessica Mulroney and Markus Anderson within the luxurious Air Canada field. The couple additionally attended the wheelchair tennis collectively.

Throughout his keep in Toronto, Harry shocked his girlfriend on the set of Fits. “He was tremendous low-key, met some crew and was so comfortable to look at his woman,” a supply instructed HELLO!. “He is extremely supportive of her work.” The insider added: “Meghan confirmed him round set. Everybody was so excited.”

November 2017 – The royal engagement is introduced

Following their official debut, engagement rumours had reached fever pitch by November. Meghan give up Fits and moved to London, fuelling stories of a marriage announcement. The massive information got here on Monday 27 November, when Kensington Palace introduced the couple have been engaged to be married. Harry and Meghan took half of their first photocall within the palace gardens, adopted by their first joint televised interview with the BBC.

Within the revealing interview, Harry stated he proposed at house over a roast rooster dinner. Meghan revealed she had been launched to “fantastic” Kate, whereas Harry had met the actress’ “wonderful” mum. Of his late mom Princess Diana, he stated Meghan and Diana would have been “thick as thieves”.

Just a few days later, Harry and Meghan carried out their first official engagement collectively – a go to to Nottingham. The Prince was eager to indicate his fiancée as a lot of the UK as potential earlier than the marriage, and day journeys to Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff and Birmingham adopted that winter.

December 2017 – The Queen’s Christmas celebrations in Sandringham

Whereas most royal companions aren’t invited to affix the Queen’s Christmas celebrations in Sandringham, Meghan was an exception. She joined the royal household at church on Christmas Day, making her first official outing with Prince William and Kate.

February 2018 – Royal Basis Discussion board

Prince William, Kate, Prince Harry and Meghan carried out their first official engagement collectively in February 2018. The Unbelievable 4 attended the Royal Basis Discussion board in central London. 

It was additionally revealed that Meghan can be becoming a member of the inspiration as its fourth patron after the marriage. The actress had additionally been making personal visits to hospitals and organisations to raised perceive the charity sector earlier than the nuptials.

Might 2018 – Royal marriage ceremony

The couple tied the knot in a fairytale marriage ceremony at St George’s Chapel on 19 Might 2018, with the gorgeous royal bride carrying a satin boat neck robe designed by Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy, with Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau tiara. 

October 2018 – Child on the way in which

In a really thrilling announcement, Harry and Meghan revealed they have been quickly to turn out to be a mum and pa. Hypothesis had been mounting that Prince Harry’s spouse was certainly anticipating, however the affirmation did not come till 15 October.

The infant information was confirmed because the couple have been about to kick off their Australasia autumn tour. With the key out, Meghan was capable of gown as she happy all through the tour, and the primary trace of a child bump was seen throughout her go to to Fiji. 

Might 2019 – Child Archie Harrison born

And child makes three! The comfortable pair introduced their new child son to the world in a much-anticipated photocall and interview. The royal mother and father launched their child boy to press inside St George’s Corridor, Windsor Fortress. The little bundle of pleasure appeared lovely wrapped up in a blanket as the brand new mother and father cooed over their son.

The next 12 months, Meghan revealed how she and Harry had supported one another via a devastating miscarriage in July 2020 in a candid open letter in the New York Times.

June 2021 – Child Lilibet Diana born

Harry and Meghan’s daughter Lilibet Diana was born on 4 June 2021, within the US at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. In contrast to with child Archie, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle determined to search out out in the event that they have been having a boy or lady when Meghan was carrying Lilibet. So, they could have had the candy identify in thoughts for some time forward of her arrival.

The couple is now a household of 4, residing in Montecito, California the place they love feeding their chickens and discovering pleasant new hobbies.

September 2022 – Supporting one another via the Queen’s loss of life

Harry and Meghan had returned to the UK in September 2022 for the WellChild Awards, nevertheless, their go to coincided with the loss of life of Harry’s grandmother, the late Queen. The couple supported one another via the tough time and Meghan was seen holding her husband’s hand throughout among the emotional moments of the state funeral.

Chatting with Selection, Meghan revealed how “proud” she was to have the ability to provide her assist to her husband via the making an attempt time. Revealing how her household coped with the loss, the Duchess shared: “Proper now, we really feel energised and enthusiastic about all the issues we have been constructing towards. We’re additionally targeted on our basis. A lot of the work we do contains the philanthropic house.“

March 2023 – Archie and Lilibet’s royal titles

In a press release saying that Lilibet had been christened at their California house, Harry and Meghan confirmed their alternative to start utilizing their youngsters’s royal titles following Charles’s accession to the throne.  The couple’s youngsters at the moment are often called Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex, which shall be shall be utilized in formal settings, however not in on a regular basis conversational use. 

April 2023 – Date nights

Regardless of having a younger household again at house, Harry and Meghan are nonetheless capable of take pleasure in personal date nights with each other. In April 2023, the pair have been noticed within the crowd throughout a basketball match between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies. The couple opted for informal ensembles for his or her evening in town with Harry in a shirt and denims, whereas Meghan styled out a pink outfit.

Might 2023 – Automobile chase

On 16 Might 2023, Meghan accepted an award on the Ms. Basis for Ladies’s annual gala, however following the occasion, the couple, who had been joined by Meghan’s mum, Doria Ragland, alleged they have been concerned in a “near-catastrophic” automotive chase.

In a press release, the couple’s spokesperson stated: “Final evening, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Ms. Ragland have been concerned in a close to catastrophic automotive chase by the hands of a hoop of extremely aggressive paparazzi. This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in a number of close to collisions involving different drivers on the highway, pedestrians and two NYPD officers. Whereas being a public determine comes with a degree of curiosity from the general public, it ought to by no means come at the price of anybody’s security.”

February 2024 – Valentine’s journey to Canada

The Invictus Video games will at all times be a particular place for Harry and Meghan, with the pair making their public debut there and forward of the 2025 Video games, they headed out to see preparations in Whistler, Canada, and even received concerned within the festivities. The Duke ended up making an attempt skeleton racing and he was cheered on by his spouse as he reached the tip of the monitor.

Might 2024 – Nigeria go to

Following a whistlestop go to to the UK, Harry reunited with spouse Meghan as they undertook their first tour since stepping down from royal duties. The couple headed to Nigeria, a rustic that held a particular place within the Duchess’ coronary heart, as in 2022 she found her Nigerian heritage.

Throughout their go to, the couple attended occasions associated to Prince Harry’s Invictus Video games. There was discuss of bringing the Video games to Nigeria to showcase the “true Nigerian competitiveness,” a proposal that aligns with the nation’s spirited and resilient nature.