Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan announced their engagement on Monday, November 27, 2017,
after more than a year of dating.
Take a look a timeline of their relationship so far!
July 2016 The couple met in London.
She said in September 2017 that they were introduced through mutual friends.
October 2016 The first reports about Harry and Meghan's
romance began to emerge.
A source said at the time that he “started texting her regularly” in June ahead of
their first face-to-face meeting.
“Harry loves that she’s so into philanthropy,” the source added.
“One of the first things they spoke about was her shelter dogs.
He loves that she’s so caring.”
November 2016 The prince confirmed the dating rumors with
a public statement condemning sexist and racist trolls who criticized the Suits actress.
“It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should
be subjected to such a storm,” he said via his communications secretary.
January 2017 Harry introduced Meghan to his sister-in-law,
Duchess Kate, and niece Princess Charlotte at Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace in London.
“Meghan’s so happy she’s getting to know more of Harry’s nearest and dearest,”
a source said at the time.
Meghan met Prince William and Prince Charles a few months earlier.
March 2017 The Los Angeles native cheered on her boyfriend
at a charity polo match in Ascot, England.
The game marked the first time they were spotted together at a public event.
May 2017 The couple attended Pippa Middleton and James
Matthews’ nuptials in Bucklebury, England.
Meghan did not attend the actual wedding ceremony, but Harry made a 100-mile round-trip to pick
her up later in the day for the reception.
August 2017 The former Army helicopter pilot and the actress
traveled to Botswana, Africa, to celebrate her 36th birthday and spend time with his
friends.
“He was thrilled to bits that he could introduce her to them,” a Harry pal exclusively said
at the time.
“The celebration began almost the minute they touched down.
… Meghan was speechless and so touched.”
September 2017 Meghan broke her silence about her romance
with Harry in her cover story for Vanity Fair.
“We’re a couple.
We’re in love,” she gushed to the magazine.
“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.
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.”
September 2017 The pair made their first official joint appearance
at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto.
They walked hand-in-hand and later attended an event with her mother, Doria Ragland.
A source exclusively confirmed to Us that Harry asked Ragland in Toronto for permission
to propose to her daughter.
September 2017 Meghan met Queen Elizabeth II for the first
time at the monarch’s summer residence, Balmoral Castle.
“It went well,” a source exclusively said at the time.
“It’ll no doubt be the first of many encounters.”
November 2017 Palace officials announced Harry and Meghan’s
engagement days after she wrapped filming on Suits and moved to London.
Clarence House said in a statement that the prince proposed earlier that month.
The couple, whose wedding is scheduled for spring 2018, later appeared for a photo call
at Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden.
Meghan showed off her engagement ring, which Us exclusively revealed features diamonds
from a brooch that belonged to Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana.
November 2017 After announcing their engagement, the couple
sat down with BBC News’ Mishal Husain for their first joint interview.
Harry revealed that he proposed at Kensington Palace’s Nottingham Cottage.
“It was just an amazing surprise,” Meghan gushed.
“It was just so sweet and natural and very romantic.
He got on one knee.
As a matter of fact, I could barely let [him] finish proposing.
I was like, ‘Can I say ‘yes’ now?’”
December 2017 Harry and Meghan released their official engagement
photos on December 21.
They were taken by fashion photographer Alexi Lubomirski at Frogmore House, Windsor.
December 2017 Meghan joined her fiancé and her future in-laws
William and Kate at the annual royal Christmas church service at Sandringham on December
25.
May 2018 It’s official!
The newly appointed Duke and Duchess of Sussex tied the knot on May 19 at St George’s Chapel
in Windsor Castle in England.
Thousands of onlookers took to the streets of Windsor to celebrate the happy couple,
who exchanged vows in front of 600 invitees.
Harry and Meghan continued the festivities at a luncheon hosted by the queen folloewd
by an intimate evening reception at Frogmore House with 200 guests.
May 2018 Harry and Meghan’s first official wedding
portraits (taken by photographer Alexi Lubomirski) were released on May 21, two days after they
tied the knot.
“The duke and duchess would like to thank everyone who took part in the celebrations
of their wedding,” read a statement from Kensington Palace.
“They feel so lucky to have been able to share their day with all those gathered in
Windsor and those who watched on television across the U.K., Commonwealth and around the
world.”
May 2018 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a two-year
lease for a home on the Great Tew Estate in the Cotswolds, which is a 90-minute drive
from London.
The pair will spend their weekends at the property while they wait for renovations to
be made at their centuries-old Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace.
June 2018 Harry and Meghan are ready to have a family
sooner than later.
“Having children is definitely a priority,” a source close to Meghan said.
“She and Harry want to start a family right away — and she’ll start trying as soon
as she can.”
A second royal insider dished, “Harry and Meghan won’t rush into anything.
They have a lot on their plate right now.
But they both think that when the moment feels right, that will be the time to go for it.
They’ll make fantastic parents.”
June 2018 After Harry and Meghan jetted off to East
Africa for their honeymoon, Us Weekly shared the first exclusive photos of the prince back
in London.
He was spotted heading to the gym sans wedding ring for a solo workout.
June 2018 It was announced that the Duke and Duchess
of Sussex would be taking on their first joint royal tour together in the fall.
They will travel to Australia, Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga and New Zealand.
They will also visit Dublin, Ireland, on July 10 and 11.
"The Duke and Duchess are looking forward to learning more about Ireland's history and
experience its rich culture, as well as meeting the people who are shaping the country's future,"
Kensington Palace said in a statement.
August 2018 Harry and Meghan spent a long weekend at George
and Amal Clooney’s lake house in August 2018.
“George and Amal were so happy to host Meghan and Harry,” the source explained, noting
that the duke and duchess met the Clooney’s twins during their visit.
“Harry and George have a special bond and friendship.”
The duo also enjoyed a trip to the Castle of Mey in Caithness, Scotland, with Prince
Charles and Duchess Camilla during the summer.
“Charles and Camilla care deeply for Harry and Meghan,” an insider told Us.
“With all that has been going on with Meghan’s family, they wanted to get them out of the
city and to the coast of Scotland.”
September 2018 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped out
for multiple charitable date nights in London in September.
They attended the WellChild Awards at The Royal Lancaster Hotel and the 100 Days to
Peace Gala at Central Hall Westminster.
September 2018 Meghan’s husband and her mother were on
hand to support her as she launched Together: Our Community Cookbook.
The duke proudly watched while his wife gave her first royal speech, during which she exuded
warmth and passion for the project.
October 2018 The couple visited their namesake country,
Sussex, together for the first time.
While greeting the locals, Meghan and Harry bonded with some dogs who came out for the
noteworthy event.
October 2018 Adding to their brood?
A source revealed exclusively to Us that the royal duo are “trying for a baby,” noting,
“They want a big family, at least three kids.”
October 2018 It's official!
Kensington Palace confirmed on October 15 that the couple are 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 statement read.
"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."
The news came just days after the former actress covered up her baby bump with a coat as they
attended Princess Eugenie's wedding.