It’s funny how the busiest lives can sometimes make room for something life-changing.
That’s exactly what happened when a royal and a Hollywood starlet found themselves falling for each other—despite packed schedules, royal protocols, and an ocean between them.
Back in the summer of 2016, Prince Harry was juggling royal duties while Meghan Markle was starring in season six of Suits.
Their paths crossed thanks to a mutual friend, and what started as a low-key date in London quickly turned into something much bigger.
Their First Date Was Secret, But the Spark Was Real
In July 2016, Meghan happened to be in London promoting Suits, and that’s when she got set up on a “blind” date with Prince Harry.
To keep things private, they met in a discreet room at Soho House, thanks to Meghan’s close friend Markus Anderson, who helped make it happen.
At the time, Harry had just returned from a solemn trip to France, commemorating the Battle of the Somme.
He was a bit down, and, as revealed in their Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, he was even late for the date. Still, that didn’t stop the connection from forming.
Meghan Made the First Move—And It Worked
They managed to squeeze in two dates before Meghan had to fly back to Toronto.
But Meghan wasn’t about to leave without seeing him one more time.
She called Harry and asked if he wanted to grab dinner the following night.
“I’m sure he thought it was very forward—and very American,” she later joked.
Not long after that, Harry took things up a notch with an unforgettable third date: a romantic camping trip to Botswana. That’s when everything changed.
Botswana Was the Turning Point
During their engagement interview, Harry talked about their trip to Botswana with fondness and a little awe.
“We camped out under the stars… it was just the two of us, which was crucial,” he said. “It gave us a real chance to get to know each other.”
It was also during this trip that Harry said he realized Meghan was his soulmate.
And from there, they built their relationship on intention—with Meghan setting a firm rule to keep them grounded.
The “Two-Week Rule” That Kept Them Close
Meghan was the one who insisted on a two-week rule: no matter what, they had to see each other at least once every two weeks.
It was smart and practical—but also a big ask for someone with royal obligations.
Harry admitted he wasn’t sure how he could manage it, but Meghan explained it was easier for her to fly under the radar.
She could hop on a commercial flight and come visit him in the UK, often staying with him quietly on the Kensington Palace grounds.
Quiet Walks and Fast Love
While no one knew what was happening behind the scenes, the couple would take private walks around Frogmore, enjoying each other’s company away from the public eye.
Harry later said he “fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly.”
After years of failed relationships—some with heiresses, some with socialites—he was ready to stop searching.
By 2016, he was openly telling friends and even reporters that he wanted to find a wife.
From Whirlwind Romance to Engagement
By September 2017, their relationship went public. Two months later, they were engaged.
The speed of it all shocked many, but for Harry, it made perfect sense. Meghan was the one, and he was ready.
Still, their journey wasn’t without bumps. After getting married in May 2018 and spending a short stint as working royals, the couple shocked the world in January 2020 by announcing they were stepping back from their roles.
The Fallout of “Megxit”
Their decision to leave royal life behind sent headlines spinning.
The press dubbed it “Megxit,” and it quickly became one of the most talked-about royal events in recent memory—even landing in the Collins Dictionary’s Words of the Year list.
They said they wanted to split their time between the UK and North America and focus on the “next chapter.”
But behind that statement was a storm brewing—both within the royal family and in the media.
The Oprah Interview That Shook the Palace
In 2021, after Buckingham Palace confirmed they would not be returning to royal duties, Harry and Meghan sat down with Oprah Winfrey for a no-holds-barred interview.
During the bombshell 85-minute conversation, they shared deeply personal allegations: Meghan said there were concerns raised about how dark their son Archie’s skin might be, and revealed a fallout with Kate Middleton that left her in tears before her wedding.
Queen Elizabeth issued a rare public statement in response, saying the issues raised would be addressed privately—but added that “recollections may vary.”
From Royal Glamour to Tightened Security and Distance
Since the Oprah interview, criticism has poured in from all sides.
Piers Morgan famously accused them of fabricating parts of their story, and even the couple has since walked back a few claims.
One thing that has remained a real concern, though, is security.
Harry recently made headlines again after losing his legal battle to receive automatic security when visiting the UK.
He now says it’s “impossible” to safely bring Meghan or their children back with him.
A Love That Defied Protocol
Through royal pressures, long-distance struggles, media chaos, and public fallout, Harry and Meghan’s relationship has endured.
Whether you see them as rebels or romantics, their story is one that captivated the world—and continues to do so.
And while the fairy tale may have taken an unconventional turn, it’s clear that, for them, love was always worth fighting for.