Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's love story began with a blind date in 2016, orchestrated by a mutual friend.
Despite their initial lack of awareness about each other's lives – Meghan unfamiliar with Prince Harry's royal status, and Harry having never seen her in her role as a lawyer on the TV series 'Suits' – the blind date marked the onset of their romance.
The summer of 2016 witnessed the clandestine meeting that set the stage for their love story. By October of that year, rumors about Prince Harry being in love began circulating in the media. The first public images of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry together surfaced in December 2016. The relationship deepened in 2017 when Meghan met Prince Harry's siblings, Kate Middleton and Prince William.
The summer of 2017 brought a crucial test for the couple, as Meghan had tea with Queen Elizabeth II upon their return from a vacation in Africa. This meeting, reportedly positive, paved the way for Prince Harry's official engagement announcement in November 2017.
In an unprecedented move for the British Crown, Meghan Markle spent Christmas with the Royal Family in December 2017, and preparations for their wedding commenced in the new year. On May 19, 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exchanged vows in a joyous ceremony.
Amid pressures and conflicts with the royal family, the couple decided to step back from their royal duties. However, Queen Elizabeth II expressed a desire for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to reflect on their choices and return to their royal responsibilities, according to sources close to Buckingham Palace."
