Meghan Markle and Prince Harry: Their Relationship in Photos
No longer senior members of the British royal family, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are busy getting settled in California, their new home. While they adjust to a different pace of living and map out what’s next, we’re taking a look back at Meghan and Harry’s relationship.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry met on a blind date
Meghan first met her future husband on a blind date. Meghan and Harry had been set up by a mutual friend and got together for drinks. They hit it off immediately, and before their first date had ended they were already planning when they could meet again.
After months of speculation, they went public with their romance in September 2017. Meghan showed up to the Invictus Games in Toronto, holding hands with Harry.
Things moved pretty quickly from there. Meghan and Harry went public with their engagement in November 2017. And a month later, Meghan joined Harry for the royal family’s Christmas festivities.
Traditionally, boyfriends and girlfriends aren’t allowed to attend. In fact, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge didn’t take part in the celebration before she married Prince William. But Queen Elizabeth let Meghan join Harry for the royal family’s annual Christmas lunch and Christmas Day church service at Sandringham.
By early 2018, Meghan started accompanying Harry on official engagements — something that typically doesn’t happen until a person has married into the royal family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex got married on May 19, 2018.
On May 6, 2019, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex became parents when they welcomed their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
Meghan and Harry bonded over wanting to change the world
During their first sit-down interview with BBC following their engagement announcement, Meghan and Harry talked about the early days of their relationship, including their first date. Meghan said she and Harry bonded over wanting to bring positive change to the world.
“Both of us have passions for wanting to make change, change for good,” Harry said. “… That’s where we’ll spend most of our time hopefully.”
Meghan chimed in, saying, “And it was really one of the first things we connected on. It was one of the first things we started talking about when we met was just the different things that we wanted to do in the world and how passionate we were about seeing change.”
In fact, that’s what she said led to their second date.
“I think that was, that’s what got date two in the books probably,” Meghan said.
Their passion for change and being involved in philanthropy continue to be a big part of Meghan and Harry’s relationship. As a working member of the royal family, Meghan took on a number of patronages. And both she and Harry continue to support organizations they are patrons of, even though they’re no longer working royals.
Meghan and Harry are continuing their philanthropic efforts. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex unveiled their charitable foundation, Archewell, in April 2020, which is replacing the Sussex Royal foundation they launched in 2019.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are focused on their family
Family is something else Meghan and Harry have bonded over. Part of the reason they stepped down as senior royals is because they wanted to be “regular parents” to their son Archie.
The family of three traveled to Africa on a royal tour in 2019, but since then the world hasn’t seen much of Archie outside of a Christmas card and birthday video.
Philanthropy and family are clearly two cornerstones of Meghan and Harry’s relationship. Here’s to hoping we learn more about their charitable efforts and see more of Archie in 2020!
