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Spring 2016 - Meghan And Harry Began Dating
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's love story began quietly. As revealed in a Vanity Fair cover story, the couple started dating in the spring of 2016: “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 the magazine.
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October 2016 - Meghan And Harry Were Outed By UK Press
Their romance became front page news in October of 2016 when the Sunday Express reported that Prince Harry had been secretly dating the “Suits” actress, making him “happier than he’s been for many years.”
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November 2016 - Harry Confirmed The Relationship
Kensington Palace
In an unusual move, Prince Harry confirmed his relationship with Meghan Markle in a statement released by Kensington Palace which also requested that the press respect Markle’s privacy: “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," the statement read.
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November 2016 - Prince William Issued A Statement
In a second unprecedented move, Harry’s older brother Prince William stepped in to address the media scrutiny surrounding the relationship. "The Duke of Cambridge absolutely understands the situation concerning privacy and supports the need for Prince Harry to support those closest to him,” the statement noted.
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December 2016 - Detour To Toronto
Following a 14-day tour of the Caribbean, Prince Harry made a detour to see Markle in Toronto before returning home to London. Love is certainly in the air!
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December 2016 - First Public Sighting
The paparazzi finally spotted the couple out in public! The Sun newspaper photographed the pair walking hand-in-hand in London’s West End.
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January 2017 - Meghan Met Kate!
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According to The Sun, Prince Harry introduced Meghan to Kate Middleton (and Princess Charlotte!) on the occasion of her birthday.
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March 2017 - The Pair Attended A Wedding Together In Jamaica
Markle joined her Prince in Jamaica for the wedding of Harry’s old friend, Tom Inskip. The couple made front page news yet again after photos of them holding hands surfaced.
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April 2017 - Meghan Closed Down ‘The Tig’
The Tig
Rumours of an engagement were at an all-time high when Meghan announced the closure of her lifestyle website, The Tig: "After close to three beautiful years on this adventure with you, it’s time to say goodbye to The Tig," she wrote in a statement. "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 joy."
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May 2017 - Meghan Attended Pippa’s Wedding
Although Meghan wasn’t in attendance for the wedding ceremony, the former “Suits” actress took part in Pippa Middleton and James Matthews’ reception, making this the second wedding that the couple attended together.
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August 2017 - An African Getaway For Meghan’s Birthday
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Meghan and Harry headed off to Africa in celebration of her 36th birthday — their love clearly on display as cameras caught Harry wrapping his arm around his love only minutes before boarding the plane.
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September 2017 - Vanity Fair Cover Story
In 2017, Royal watchers rushed to newsstands to pick up Vanity Fair’s September issue. A radiant Meghan took the cover and revealed more than ever about her relationship with Prince Harry. "We're a couple," she told the magazine. "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."
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September 2017 - Meghan Met Her Majesty
Adding even more buzz to swirling engagement rumours, Meghan reportedly met with Queen Elizabeth II on September 13, 2017. "Harry decided to take Meghan to visit as he hadn't been up yet all summer," a source told US Weekly. “It went well. It'll no doubt be the first of many encounters."
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September 2017 - Invictus Games Together
September 25, 2017, marked the couple’s first appearance together. Meghan accompanied her Prince as he kicked off his Invictus Games in the star's adopted hometown of Toronto. The lovebirds were spotted laughing, holding hands, kissing, and gazing into each other’s eyes throughout the event.
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November 2017 - Meghan And Harry Announced Their Engagement
The day the world had been waiting for came on November 27, 2017! After months of growing speculation, the couple announced their engagement and marked the big day with an official interview and photoshoot. By then, Markle had already made the big move across the pond to join her Prince in the UK.
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Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Visited Nottingham
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Harry and Meghan brought smiles to everyone’s faces in December 2017 when they made their first post-engagement appearance in Nottingham, England.
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December 2017 - Official Engagement Photos Released
Alexi Lubomirski
On December 21, the couple released their official engagement photos to the public. Shot by fashion photographer Alexi Lubomirski, Meghan and Harry looked more in love than ever.
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December 2017 - Christmas With The Royals
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Five days after joining the royal family at Buckingham Palace for a pre-Christmas lunch, the newly-engaged couple joined the rest of the family for Christmas Church service in Sandringham, England.
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May 2017 - The Big Day
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The couple is set to tie the knot at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 — a wedding that is set to cost an estimated $44 million. Following the big ceremony, Meghan and Prince Harry have planned not one, but two receptions, where the Spice Girls and Elton John are rumoured to perform.
The couple will likely receive the titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex.