As many would know, the journey of Meghan Markle entering the royalty has never been easy. She is surrounded by all the negative feedbacks and negative controversies. However, Prince Harry stood with her and focused his direction on his lovely journey with Meghan. Thus, they both stood together amidst the issues and redirected their lives in raising their family. For the husband and wife, no negative statements or thought can shake their relationship. As for Meghan, she is proof that fairytale endings can be achieved. This article will show you the timeline of the love story between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
1.July 2016
In July of 2016, Meghan and Harry met through their mutual friends in London. According to some sources, the former actor’s confidant, Markus Anderson, introduced them. Anderson is connected with the private members of the club Soho House, in which Prince Harry is also a member. But it was until months after the short London meeting that their romance prospered and made it on the headlines. The then alleged dating couple has been the covers of multiple tabloids and newspapers. From there on, dozens of speculations and rumors arise.
2.November 2016
In November 2016, the couple had been photographed and were published in the press. It shows that the two are together on holidays, eating out in London and attending a friend’s wedding. Thus, the captured moments have made it on the news.
2.1 The Announcement of Prince Harry
In the same month, Prince Harry announced his relationship in an exceptional manner. Through the Kensington Palace, on behalf of Prince Harry, the statement sated “line had been crossed.” It refers to the harassment that has been experienced by Meghan and her family. The statement continued saying His girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment.” It also cites about racism and sexism. The paper also explained that Prince Harry knows that the critics will say it is the price that she has to pay, and it is all part of the game. Furthermore, the statement reads that this is not a game. It is her life and his.
2.2 The Official Statement
As follows, Prince Harry asked the statement to be issued, hoping that the people in the press who is responsible for driving the story can pause and reflected it before further damages can be done.
3. October 2017
In October 2017, Meghan appeared to the public for her first interview with Vanity Fair, ever since the news of their relationship has emerged. Meghan opened the topic about what it is like to date a member of one of the most famous royal family. She shared that “It has its challenges, and it comes in waves.” She added that some of her days are more challenging compared to others, and right out of the gate, it surprises her the way things have changed. However, she has all the support systems surrounding her, and of course, her boyfriend, Prince Harry, never left her side.
4. November 2017
In November 2017, the couple shook the news, upon the announcement of their engagement. An interview was conducted at their home, in Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. The interviewer was Mishal Hussain from BBC. In the interview, Prince Harry opened up about his enjoyment of being with someone outside of his inner circle. He mentioned that “it was hugely refreshing.” Prince Harry said that before discussing the trip that the couple took to Botswana shortly after the two met.
4.1 The Proposal
Prince Harry proposed to Meghan with a custom ring. It was made by the court jewelers, Cleave and Company. The one diamond was sourced from Botswana, and the two smaller stones are from the collection of the late Princess Diana.
5. December 2017
In December 2017, Princess Michael of Kent stated an apology for wearing a “racist” broach to the Queen’s Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. Meghan also attended the event, and it was her first Christmas with the royal family. The princess, who is married to the Queen’s cousin, was photographed wearing an expensive piece of the “balckmoor” jewelry. It was pinned to her coat, upon her arrival at the annual royal family event.
5.1 The Racist Claims
The Blackmoor sculptures are figures that mostly describe African men. These were prominent during the 17th and 18th centuries. Thus, the princess hits the headlines for being condemned for wearing the “blatantly racist” item to the Palace. A spokesperson for the royal shared that the princess was “very sorry and distressed,” that the item has caused offense. The statement added that the jewelry was a gift, and she has worn it many times before the event.
6. May 2018
On May 19, 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan got married at the St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. The two officially became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. However, the couple continued on defying the conventional wedding by adding a modern spin on everything. From the ceremony to the cake, the couple has modernized it.
6.1 The Wedding
The couple chose Reverend Michael Curry, who is the first black presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church that was able to deliver a powerful sermon about love during the royal wedding. In his address, that is filled with historical reference, has the wedding guest, including David Beckham, smiling. As for some members of the royal family, they were a little bit confused.
6.2 Sad News
However, the joyful and lovely day for Meghan was somehow damped after the news about Thomas Markle Sr., Meghan’s father, would not be able to join and walk her down the aisle. But the moment seems to amuse everyone, when Meghan walked herself down the aisle until she was joined by Prince Charles, who gave her away.
6.3 Meghan’s Father Controversy
In an interview that was conducted by TMZ, Meghan’s father admitted to agreeing with a photographer to pose for a multiple series of staged paparazzi photos. As a result, he felt that it would be best for him not to walk Meghan down the aisle. The reason for his absence is that he did not want to “embarrass the royal family or his daughter.” Meghan’s father added that he had suffered a heart attack size day before due to the stress of the situation he is in.
7. October 2018
Ever since their wedding, there are dozens of speculations that Harry and Meghan were expecting their first child. The confirmation of this rumors did not come until the October 15 announcement. The revelation was made just as the couple were about to start their autumn tour in Australia.
7.1 Announcement About Her Preganancy
The Kensington Palace released a statement that he newlyweds were “very pleased” to be expecting a baby in the coming spring of 2019. The place said in a statement that “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 added that their Royal Highness had appreciated all the support that they have received from the people around the world, since their wedding. Now, they are delighted to share the news with the public.
7.2 Not A Good News After All
However, this news did not go too well for some people. The couple has been accused of insensitivity over their decision to reveal the story during the Baby Loss Awareness Week. It may not be their intention to cause any harm, but others thought otherwise.
8. October 2018 – March 2019
During her pregnancy, like many other mothers, Meghan would cradle her baby bump or place her hand on her stomach during public gatherings. However, the royal soon to be a mom was not spared from criticism. Some claimed that Meghan is doing it for “photo opportunities.” Not only that, conspiracy theorists even took to Twitter using the hashtags #DuchessofDeception, and #Megxit claiming that Meghan was not pregnant at all, she was just strapping on a pillow or applied prosthetic.
8.1 Archie Is Born
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born on May 6, 2019. Meghan gave birth to Archie at the Portland Hospital in London after she went into labor in the early hours of the morning. The delivery was also a break from the tradition done by the previous royalty, including the Duchess of Cambridge, who formerly used the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital in London when she gave birth.
Also, Meghan opts not to pose for an “on the steps” moment after leaving the hospital. The on the steps moments are usually done by the royal mothers. Instead, the Duke and Duchess presented to the world their baby Archie at a press briefing at St. George’s Hall at the Windsor castle.
8.2 Offensive Tweet
After tweeting about the royal baby, by replacing his photo with a chimpanzee, Danny Baker was fired by the BBC. Just moments after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex introduced their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor to the world, the former BBC Radio 5 Live host posted the controversial photo. It then receive millions of criticism. Barkers Tweet shocked a black-and-white photo of a couple holding hands with a chimp dressed in a suit. It then has a caption; the “Royal baby leaves the hospital.” After receiving millions of backlash, Baker then removed the post as Twitter users branded his post as “racist” since Meghan has a mixed-heritage.
8.3 Danny Baker Apology
Danny Baker later apologized and wrote: “Sorry, my gag pic of the little fella in the elegant outfit has whipped some up. Never occurred to me because, well, mind not diseased. Soon as those good enough to point out it’s possible connotations got in touch, down it came. And that’s it. Now stand by for sweary football tweets.”
9. June 2019
The BBC featured a programmed called the Tonight With Vladimir Putin. It showed that portrayal of Duchess of Sussex saying Stay the f*** out of my trailer, or I’ll cut you, Kate.” The two episodes of the comedy program include the feature titled “Meghan Markle’s Royal Sparkle.”
9.1 The BBC Episode
In an episode, the character of Meghan was asked about the things that make her angry. The role then replied with a narration about the Duchess of Cambridge asking to borrow her hairbrush. She then replied “I say no because that’s gross and then I leave my room and come back, and I can tell she’s used my hairbrush anyway because it’s covered in skanky hair that’s going grey and I say, ‘Stay the f*** out of my trailer, or I’ll cut you, Kate,” while yelling. Also, the show made fun of the relationship between the Duchess and her father, Thomas Markle.
10. June 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex received the public’s criticism in July 2019. The couple had gained yet another bad publicity after revealing that their home was renovated with £2.4m of taxpayer-funded costs.
From five separate homes, the Frogmore Cottage in Windsor was transformed into a single property for Harry and Meghan. The couple moved from Kensington Palace in April before the birth of their son Archie, paid for the upgrade fixtures and fittings themselves, the royal accounts revealed that the public fund helps the cost of replacement of the electrical, heating, and the central water systems. Also, the floor joists and the replacement of the ceiling beams.
10.1 The Crown Estate
The Frogmore Cottage is owned by the Crown Estate and was given to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as a gift from the Queen, who is being updated for the works that have been done. The property has not been the subject for work for some years, yet it has already been up for renovation.
11. July 2019
Another pattern that Meghan and Harry broke is the christening of Archie. The couple decided to have an intimate ceremony that has been attended by close family. Traditionally, the royal baptisms are private. But the couple went a step further by choosing to go against the tradition. They opt not to reveal the godparents of Archie. In a statement from Buckingham Palace said that “The godparents, in keeping with their wishes, will remain private.”
11.1 The Christening of Archie
Shortly after, rumors revealed on who could have been the godparents of Archie. The speculations also mentioned that the contenders for being the godparents are Hollywood actor George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, and fashion stylist Jessica Mulroney. Thus, the decision of the Duke and Duchess sparked a massive backlash from the royal watchers. One person wrote on Twitter, “They have to give the public something.” Another one wrote, “We are paying them, and it feels like they do not care about the public.”
12. August 2019
Another criticism that hit the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is when they use a private jet. The couple went to the South of France with Archie for a vacation. Many critics have accused a couple of hypocrisy since they have staunch views for environmentalism. The family also previously went into two other European trips. One is when they went to Ibiza for Meghan’s birthday and the other one to Sicily, where Harry flew in to talk about climate change at a conference. On a later date, Harry defends the use of the private jet, by sharing that it was to make sure of their safety.
12.1 Sir Elton John Defends The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex
As follows, Sir Elton John defended the couple in public. Thus, in Amsterdam, Harry speaks about a new flying scheme. He mentioned that “I came here by commercial. I spend 99 percent of my life traveling the world by commercial. Occasionally there needs to be an opportunity based on a unique circumstance to ensure that my family is safe. It’s genuinely as simple as that.”
13. August 2019
For months, the royal brothers, Prince William and Harry has been at the center of rift rumors. Since the news of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were moving to Windsor, the story has circulated into the two royal brothers. According to the speculations and some experts, they have claimed that the two are drifting apart.
13.1 The Rift Between Two Brothers
Thus, a royal expert and edit of Majesty magazine Ingrid Seward appeared on Channel 5’s documentary William & Harry: Princes At War? She shared that she would think it might have bothered Prince William a little bit, “because he might see the way that Harry and Meghan do things as being detrimental to the business of the monarchy as a whole.”
13.2 The Duke and Duchess Of Cambridge
In addition, Seward mentioned that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were surprised by the romance between Meghan and Harry. Seward added, “It was all so quick that William and Kate didn’t have a moment to get to know Meghan because Harry hardly knew Meghan. And of course, William and Kate would have quite naturally thought ‘oh she’s been married before, she’s older than Harry, I hope she’s going to make him happy.’ Anyone would think that.”
14. September 2019
It was announced in August that Meghan Markle would guest-edit the September issue of the British Vogue magazine. The cover of the special edition magazine showcased a grid f the Duchess has commissioned 15 women selected as “Forces for Change” both the cover and articles inside. The response of the readers is mostly positive. However, as expected, there is still some criticism. People criticized the choice of women that Meghan pick, especially she did not include the Queen. They also questioned whether or not a member of the royal family should edit the magazine, even though it has been edited by others have done before.
14.1 Critics About The Vogue Magazine Issue
As follows, celebrity journalist Dan Wootton told ITV’s Lorraine that “We’re talking about Vogue magazine. Probably the most elite, expensive, snobby, fashion-dominated, skinny-dominated magazine in the entire world. This is not some great mainstream force for good. This is a magazine for the elite.” Also, Brexit Party MEP Ann Widdecombe targeted the Duchess saying, “Royals have not only got to keep out of politics, but they have got to be seen to keep out of politics.”
15. October 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex took part in the ITV documentary in October 2019. It is about their royal tour to southern Africa titled In Harry and Meghan An African Journey. The Duke opened up about his hostility to the paparazzi and confessed that he and his brother Prince William are on different paths. Thus, it fueled the speculations that the two have grown apart.
15.1 Meghan Struggles With Negativity
Furthermore, Meghan also revealed that she had been struggling with criticisms that are thrown by the media. The Duchess told ITV’s Tom Bradby that she is really not “Okay.” Afterward, Bradby mentioned that the couple seemed “vulnerable” and “bruised in the duration of filming. He shared that things are not “entirely rosy” for the couple before the filming. Bradby said in Good Morning America, “The reality I found was just a couple that seemed a bit bruised and vulnerable. That was the story I found, and it seemed the right journalistic thing to do, to try and tell that story as empathetically as I could.”
16. October 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex issued an official statement, following the ITV documentary. According to the report, it mentioned that the Duke could no longer be a silent witness to Meghan’s private suffering. Adding that there is a human cost to this ruthless propaganda. It added that “specifically when it is knowingly false and malicious, and though we have continued to put on a brave face – as so many of you can relate to – I cannot begin to describe how painful it has been.”
16.1 Meghan Files Complaint Against The Media
As follows, in the same statement, it confirms that Meghan files a claim against the Associated Newspaper. It is against the unlawful and intrusive publication of a private letter that was written by the Duchess of Sussex. It is part of a campaign by this media group to publish wrong and offensive stories about Meghan and as well as her husband. The proceedings in the Chancery Division of the High Court are related to the unlawful publication of the private letter written by Meghan to her father.
17. December 2019
The Christmas season arrives, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released their first Christmas card with their son Archie. The seven-month-old baby took center stage in the black-and-white photo. It can also be seen that Archie stares at the camera lens as his parents are laughing behind him with a Christmas tree in the background. As expected, Meghan receives another criticism from people. The Duchess has been accused of using Photoshop to sharpen her own face so that she would stand out more.
Inline, one of Meghan’s close friends Janina Gavankar, who captured the photo, defended her. She posted on Instagram with a caption, “So proud to have taken the Christmas photo for one of my best friends and her family.” Also, Janina made it clear that the photo was not edited. The Duke and Duchess enjoyed the six-week break in Canada together with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland.
18. January 2020
A photo of Meghan and Harry has been captured while they are at the Canada House in London. The couple is thanking the Canadian high commission for their “warm hospitality” while they are on the country for their Christmas trip. Just a day later, on January 8, 2020, rumors surfaced that the couple could possibly move to Canada surface. The Buckingham Palace initially refused to deny the speculations. On Wednesday evening, 6 pm, the couple announced their decision to renounce their roles as a “senior” member of the royal family. It is seen in an Instagram post on @SussexRoyal.
As follows, the couple’s statement is followed by one from Buckingham Palace that describes the discussions regarding as being ‘at an early stage.” Moments later, it was understood that the couple did not consult any of the members of the royal family upon the release of their statement. Thus, the mood at the Buckingham Palace was said to be disappointed.