Royal Wedding
How Harry Met Meghan: Secrets Of The Royal Romance Revealed
May 16 2018, Updated 12:38 p.m. ET
Soon-to-be newlyweds Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have a special, unnamed matchmaker to thank for their coming nuptials. The two met in early July 2016, and less than two years later, are ready to exchange I do’s. Take a look back at their love in this RadarOnline.com gallery.
“We were introduced actually by a mutual friend," Harry revealed during the couple's first sit-down interview with the BBC following their engagement announcement.
The two hit it off immediately. "We met for a drink," Markle explained during the interview, "and then I think very quickly into that we said, 'Well what are we doing tomorrow? We should meet again.'"
Things heated up quickly for the couple, with Harry soon taking Meghan for an emotional visit to his mother, Princess Diana's tomb. And Meghan inviting Harry to her Canadian home just six months into their relationship.
Almost immediately, Prince Harry found himself in the unwarranted position of having to defend his new girlfriend, who is bi-racial, from racist and sexist online trolls who berated her.
“Harry‘s girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment,” an official statement from Kensington Palace at the time read. “It is not right that a few months into a relationship, Mrs. Markle should be subjected to such a storm.”
The flames of passion heated up, even as Markle filmed her TV show “Suits” in Toronto, halfway around the world from Harry and England. Insiders told RadarOnline.com that the two kept the embers burning with racy FaceTime sessions!
“They’re doing everything they can to keep their romance hot, even when they’re apart,” dished the source at the time. “Harry can be devilish and Meghan has a closetful of sexy lingerie to keep him interested.”
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As early as January, 2017, just a few months into their courtship, rumors of wedding bells began to circulate, after Meghan met another royal outsider, Kate Middleton.
The following month, there was no doubt love was in the air, as Harry and Meghan were caught on camera holding hands after a romantic dinner date.
Finally, in May 2017, the two enjoyed a very public spotlight, as Meghan accompanied Harry to Pippa Middleton's wedding reception.
That August, the prince took the American celebrity on a safari to Africa, a continent very close to both their hearts.
While there, they were rumored to have visited the site where Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010.
Just three months later, Harry asked Meghan to marry him.
“His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is excited to announce the engagement of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle,” tweeted Kensington palace that November morning. We pay for juicy info! Do you have a story for RadarOnline.com? Email us at tips@radaronline.com, or call us at (866) ON-RADAR (667-2327) any time, day or night.