Complete Timeline Of Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's Royal Romance

While sitting down with Oprah Winfrey for a wide-ranging interview about their decision to step back from official royal life, Meghan Markle described her new life in California with Prince Harry as "greater than any fairytale that you’ve ever read." Despite the hardships the Duke and Duchess of Sussex faced while living inside the confines of the British Royal Family, it seems like Harry and Meghan were finally able to find their happily ever after together.

For those who don't know, this whole journey started when two strangers were set up on a blind date by a mutual friend nearly five years ago. From their initial set up in London to their weddings vows and beyond, here's the complete timeline of Harry and Meghan's royal romance.

Back in July 2016, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were set up on blind date by a mutual friend. Though it’s been reported fashion designer Misha Nonoo was the one who first introduced the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the matchmaker’s true identity has never been revealed.

By their second date, Harry knew Meghan was the one. "The second date I was starting to think 'Wow, this is pretty special,'" Harry told James Corden during a recent episode of The Late Late Show. "It was just the way that we hit it off with each other and we were just so comfortable in each other's company." Not long after those initial dates, Harry swept Meghan away to Botswana to spend five days camping under the stars. During their engagement interview, Harry called the spontaneous trip “absolutely fantastic” because they “were really by ourselves, which was crucial to me to make sure that we had a chance to get to know each other."

In November 2016, Harry publicly confirmed he was in a relationship with Meghan for the first time. This was also the first time Harry called out the racist and sexist online abuse Meghan was facing from tabloids and commenters alike. “It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm. He knows commentators will say this is ‘the price she has to pay’ and that ‘this is all part of the game.' He strongly disagrees. This is not a game—it is her life and his,” a statement from the Palace, given on behalf of Prince Harry, read.

Meghan and Harry made their first public appearance as a couple in September 2017 at one of Harry’s royal engagements—the Invictus Games, which were held in Toronto where Meghan was living full time and working on the legal drama Suits. They were joined by Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland.

One year after confirming their romance, Harry and Meghan announced their engagement on November 27, 2017. "It was so sweet and natural and very romantic. He got down on one knee," Meghan said during their engagement interview with the BBC. "As a matter of fact, I could barely let you finish proposing. I said, 'Can I say yes now?'"

On May 19, 2018, Harry and Meghan tied the knot—for the second time, as they revealed in their recent sit down with Oprah Winfrey the couple privately wed 3 days before their royal wedding—at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Just five short months after saying “I do,” Harry and Meghan announced they were expecting their first child together. The newlyweds shared the happy news at the outset of their first international royal tour together in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.

Harry and Meghan became parents just shy of their first wedding anniversary. Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born on May 6, 2019. "It has been the most amazing experience I could have ever possibly imagined," Harry said at the time. "How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension, but we're both absolutely thrilled and so grateful for all the love and support from everybody out there."

On May 8, Archie made his official debut in St. George’s Hall at Windsor Castle. "It's magic—it's been pretty amazing," Meghan said during the photocall. "I have the two best guys in the world, so I'm really happy."

Less than a year after welcoming Archie, Harry and Meghan announced their shocking plan to step back from their “senior” roles within the institution of the Royal Family. Initially, Harry and Meghan hoped to remain part-time working members and continue to represent Her Majesty and their many patronages on her behalf. Their request was ultimately denied, resulting in their decision to move out of the country.

Harry and Meghan returned to London in March 2020 for their final royal engagements as senior members of the Royal Family, including an appearance with the Queen and other senior royals at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.

After spending a few months living in Canada, Harry and Meghan moved to California. They first settled down in Tyler Perry’s Beverly Hills mansion before buying their own home in Santa Barbara in July 2020.

In November 2020, Meghan published a heartbreaking essay in the New York Times revealing she suffered a pregnancy loss in July. "Losing a child means carrying an almost unbearable grief, experienced by many but talked about by few. In the pain of our loss, my husband and I discovered that in a room of 100 women, 10 to 20 of them will have suffered from miscarriage,” Meghan wrote.

On Valentine’s Day 2021, Harry and Meghan shared the happy news that they were once again expecting. During their chat with Oprah, the Sussexes confirmed their second child will be a girl.

Shortly after their pregnancy announcement, the Palace confirmed Harry and Meghan will not return to their official roles within the Royal Family. "Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of the Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service," the palace said in a statement. "While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family."

In March 2021, Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey aired. During their wide-ranging discussion, the Sussexes spoke candidly about Meghan’s experience with depression and suicidal thoughts while living in the palace, members of the royal family having racist discussions about Archie’s skin tone and the alleged feud between Harry and Meghan and Prince William and Kate Middleton.

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