Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: A Love Story That Changed Royal History

If someone had predicted in 2015 that Prince Harry would meet, date, and marry Suits actress Meghan Markle—and that the couple would leave the Royal Family just two years later while making serious allegations against it—they would have faced skepticism. Yet, this improbable tale became reality.

Harry and Meghan’s love story began in 2016 when a mutual friend arranged a blind date while Meghan was in London for Wimbledon. Their first meeting at Soho House got off to a rocky start, with Harry arriving 30 minutes late. “I was panicking, I was freaking out,” he later recalled, to which Meghan reassured him, “You were genuinely so embarrassed.” Despite the initial hiccup, the couple hit it off, meeting again the very next day.

The relationship quickly grew serious, but it wasn’t without challenges. As their romance went public, Meghan faced relentless scrutiny and racist attacks in the press. In November 2016, Harry released a rare statement condemning the abuse, calling it “outright sexism and racism.” However, this move angered Prince William and King Charles, who felt it made them look bad for not issuing similar statements for their own partners.

Royal Tensions and Cultural Clashes

Marrying into the Royal Family is no small feat, and Meghan’s transition into royal life was far from smooth. Her first meeting with Kate Middleton, for example, highlighted cultural differences. Meghan, barefoot and wearing ripped jeans, described herself as a “hugger,” but found the formality of royal life extended beyond public appearances. “That was surprising to me,” she said in the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan.

Harry also revealed in his memoir Spare that William and Kate were “speechless” upon learning he was dating Meghan. While initially polite, William reportedly warned Harry not to rush the relationship, referring to Meghan dismissively as “this girl.” This upset Harry, who felt his brother was being judgmental.