Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship isn't exactly typical. Not only was Meghan a Hollywood star her status as a boundary breaking royal catapulted her and Harry into another level of fame. Of course, we all know how the story goes, they met, they fell in love, had a fairytail wedding (complete with two gowns), a baby came and then… a scandalous royal exit and move to Canada.
Of course, there was a lot that happened in between so let's breakdown the relationship from 2016 until now.
Winter/Spring 2016
According to Markle’s Vanity Fair cover story, the couple had been together for half a year before their relationship was outed. “We were very quietly dating for about six months before it became news, and I was working during that whole time, and the only thing that changed was people’s perception. Nothing about me changed. I’m still the same person that I am, and I’ve never defined myself by my relationship,” she told Vanity Fair. Considering their relationship first became news in late October, we’re putting their first date around April 2016, give or take.
Oct. 31, 2016
The U.K.’s Sunday Express reports that Harry has been secretly dating the American actress and that he’s “happier than he’s been for many years.” The same day, Markle posted this Instagram of two bananas cuddling, which many took to be related to the day’s news. “Sleep tight xx,” she wrote.
Nov. 1, 2016
The relationship is even more serious than we thought: A source told People that Markle had already met Harry’s dad, the first in line to the throne Prince Charles. “Harry is pretty serious about her and she is pretty serious about him,” the source said. “It’s great. They have a lot in common and I’m sure they will get on very well.”
Nov. 8, 2016
Harry himself confirms their relationship in a rare statement, released by Kensington Palace, asking for the media to leave his girlfriend alone. "Since he was young, Prince Harry has been very aware of the warmth that has been extended to him by members of the public," the statement began. "He feels lucky to have so many people supporting him and knows what a fortunate and privileged life he leads."
"He is also aware that there is significant curiosity about his private life. He has never been comfortable with this, but he has tried to develop a thick skin about the level of media interest that comes with it. He has rarely taken formal action on the very regular publication of fictional stories that are written about him and he has worked hard to develop a professional relationship with the media focused on his work and the issues he cares about."
"But the past week has seen a line crossed. His girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment," the palace stated.
"Some of it has been hidden from the public—the nightly legal battles to keep defamatory stories out of papers; her mother having to struggle past photographers in order to get to her front door; the attempts of reporters and photographers to gain illegal entry to her home and the calls to police that followed; the substantial bribes offered by papers to her ex-boyfriend; the bombardment of nearly every friend, co-worker, and loved one in her life."
"It is not right, that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm," the statement continued. "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."
VIDEO: Prince Harry on Girlfriend Meghan Markle
Nov. 15, 2016
While they haven’t been seen together yet, the media notices that the pair wear adorable matching bracelets. This is how you do a long-distance relationship, guys.
Nov. 28, 2016
Dec. 6, 2016
After his Caribbean tour, Prince Harry modifies his route home to make a visit to Markle in Toronto. The royal was supposed to fly straight from Barbados to London, but he just couldn’t stay away from the actress, who films her show Suits in Canada.
Dec. 9, 2016
The American actress makes another statement with her jewelry. Markle stepped out in Toronto wearing a necklace with the initials “M” and “H.” This can’t be a coincidence.
Dec. 15, 2016
We have a sighting! The prince and his new girl were photographed by The Sun while walking around London’s West End neighborhood. The couple looked adorable bundled up in coats and beanies.
Jan. 15, 2017
Markle has reportedly met Kate Middleton! According to a report in The Sun, Harry’s girlfriend met both Middleton and Princess Charlotte. The Suits star reportedly gifted the Duchess a “dream diary” as a birthday present.
Feb. 2, 2017
The so in-love couple is seen once more, this time after dinner at London’s Soho House. Harry held his girlfriend’s hand as they navigated through crowds and the paparazzi.
March 3, 2017
Markle joined Harry at the wedding of his Eton College friend, Tom “Skippy” Inskip, in Jamaica. The two were photographed smiling as they stood hand-in-hand, with the actress looking radiant in a printed dress with ruffled sleeves.
April 7, 2017
The star shut down her lifestyle site, The Tig. “After close to three beautiful years on this adventure with you, it’s time to say goodbye to The Tig. What began as a passion project (my little engine that could) evolved into an amazing community of inspiration, support, fun and frivolity. You’ve made my days brighter and filled this experience with so much job,” she wrote. Many believed this move was recommended by the Palace, and that an engagement could be imminent.
May 7, 2017
The couple is seen together at Prince Harry’s polo match. Markle cheered on her beau from the stands in a navy blue dress topped with a white blazer. After the game, the two are photographed sharing an embrace.
May 20, 2017
While she wasn’t caught by the photographers at Pippa Middleton’s wedding, Prince Harry’s girlfriend was indeed in attendance. She missed out on the ceremony but was present at the reception, after Harry briefly left the festivities to pick her up. This is now the second wedding that they've attended as a couple—big steps!
Aug. 4, 2017
The couple heads on yet another exotic getaway, this time to Africa for Markle’s birthday. The two were photographed wearing matching caps after getting off their plane on vacation.
Sept. 5, 2017
Markle opens up about her romance with the royal for the very first time in a Vanity Fair cover story. "I can tell you that at the end of the day I think it's really simple," she told the publication about her whirlwind romance with the young prince. "We're two people who are really happy and in love."
"We're a couple," she stated. "We're in love. I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people will understand is that this is our time."
The smitten star continued: "This is for us. It's part of what makes it so special, that it's just ours. But we're happy. Personally, I love a great love story."
Sept. 13, 2017
Us Weekly reports that Markle has met Queen Elizabeth, leading to even more buzz about a possible engagement around the corner. Apparently the lovebirds have been staying with Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and decided to pay the Queen a visit in nearby Balmoral, Queen Elizabeth's summer residence.
"Harry decided to take Meghan to visit as he hadn't been up yet all summer," the source explained to the magazine, adding that he wanted to introduce Meghan to the queen. "It went well. It'll no doubt be the first of many encounters."
Sept. 25, 2017
The couple made their first official appearance together at the Invictus Games, walking hand-in-hand and looking so in love while taking in a match. Engagement rumors swirled, as royal watchers predicted that this very public outing could be a sign that these two were soon to announce they would wed.
Sept. 30, 2017
Harry and Meghan appeared together once more at the Invictus Games, this time watching the Closing Ceremony together from box seats. They laughed, shared secrets, and even snuck in a smooch.
Nov. 4, 2017
While rumors of a engagement announcement before Christmas continued to swirl this fall, a new report suggestions they may wait for Kate Middleton to give birth to her third child in April. “There won’t be any announcement until at least after Kate has had her baby in April,” a palace source told The Daily Beast, mentioning that the two may want to live together for as long as a year before getting engaged.
Markle is supposedly set to move to London in November after wrapping up her show Suits for good, and she plans to move in with Prince Harry upon arrival.
May 2018
The big day happened on May 19, 2018. Meghan and Harry were married at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in front of 600 friends, family, royals, and Beckhams. Queen Elizabeth II gifted Harry a new title that morning, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan became the Duchess of Sussex as soon as they made things official at the altar.
June and July 2018
The newlyweds' first engagement as a married couple takes place at Buckingham Palace, where they honor Prince Charles during his 70th birthday festivities and celebrate his patronages. A month later, Meghan makes her debut on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Trooping the Colour. They also attend Harry's cousin Celia McCorquodale's wedding. Presumably, Meghan sits out the requisite "Single Ladies" dance. In July, the Sussexes attend Prince Louis's christening ceremony at the Chapel Royal. Later, George and Amal Clooney, who also attended the Royal Wedding, invite Harry and Meghan to spend some time at Lake Cuomo.
October 2018
First comes love, then comes marriage, and, according to that nursery rhyme, a baby is the next step — which is what happened when Meghan and Harry announced that they'd be expecting their first child together.
"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," the palace said in a statement. "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 famously makes a trip to New York City for her baby shower in February 2019, which was hosted by her pal Serena Williams.
May 2019
Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor, or Archie, as the entire world would come to know him, arrives.
"We are pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their firstborn child in the early morning on May 6th, 2019. Their Royal Highnesses’ son weighs 7 lbs. 3 oz.," the palace announced. "The Duchess and baby are both healthy and well, and the couple thank members of the public for their shared excitement and support during this very special time in their lives. More details will be shared in the forthcoming days."
April 2019
Meghan and Harry make the move to Frogmore Cottage from Kensington Palace.
July 2019
Meghan guest edits the September issue of British Vogue. Harry contributes to the issue via an interview with Dr. Jane Goodall, when he famously said that he and Meghan would only have two children for the sake of the environment.
September 2019
The entire family heads to South Africa for the first Royal Tour with Archie. Harry makes stops in Botswana, Malawi, and Angola.
October 2019
Harry issues a statement about the ways that the media covers Meghan and takes legal action against Associated Newspapers. He claimes that the publication of one of her letters is "intrusive and unlawful."
A new documentary airs, showing footage from the Royal Tour. Meghan says, "It's not enough to just survive something … You've got to thrive." In the same show, Harry says that he and his brother are on "different paths."
November 2019
The Sussexes announce that they'll be spending Christmas in Canada, not at Sandringham with the rest of the royal family. They end up spending six weeks in Canada.
January 2020
Harry and Meghan shock the royal family and the rest of the world when they announced that they'd be stepping back from their roles as senior members of the royal family and relocating to North America.
"After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen," said in an official announcement.
February 2020
The Sussexes issue an official timeline of their transition. It explains that they will be considered "royal" but notes that they will not be using Sussex Royal as a brand, which many had speculated.
March 2020
The Sussexes make their first public appearance since their announcement to step back in London at the Endeavor Awards. It's the start of the couples final royal engagements.
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