When Did Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Start Dating: Complete Guide & Key Details
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So, you wanna know the juicy deets about when Meghan Markle and Prince Harry officially became us? Like, when did the whole "Will they or won't they?" internet frenzy officially turn into a full-blown fairytale? Grab your virtual latte, because we're spilling the tea!
It’s kind of wild to think about now, isn’t it? They’re practically royalty, rocking a whole new life across the pond. But before the royal wedding, before the baby announcements, before all the drama (we’ll get to that later, maybe!), there was… the beginning. The spark. The totally normal, yet also completely bonkers, start of it all.
So, When Did This Royal Romance Sparkle?
Alright, drumroll please! The general consensus, the official story, is that they met in July 2016. Yep, that’s the year. Remember 2016? It feels like a lifetime ago, right? So many memes, so many questionable fashion choices we all made. And somewhere in the midst of it all, a prince and an actress were hitting it off.
But how did they even meet? Was it a random encounter at a coffee shop? Did Harry accidentally swipe right on a dating app? (Spoiler alert: probably not). The story that’s been floating around is that they were set up by a mutual friend. A very influential mutual friend, I’d wager. Imagine being that friend! “Hey, I know this amazing guy… and you’d be perfect for him!” Talk about the ultimate wingman/wingwoman move.
The "Mutual Friend" Mystery!
Who was this magical connector, you ask? Well, the rumour mill has churned out a few names, but one that’s frequently mentioned is Violet von Westenholz. She’s a PR director and a childhood friend of Prince Harry’s. Makes sense, right? Someone who knows Harry’s world and could also connect with Meghan’s. It’s like a modern-day cupid, but with better connections. And probably better champagne.
The first date? Apparently, it was super low-key. A blind date, no less! Can you even imagine going on a blind date with a prince? The pressure! The outfit choices! The awkward small talk about… royal corgis? Meghan, being the cool cat she is, apparently didn’t even Google Harry beforehand. Bold move, hon. Or maybe she just trusted her friend implicitly. Either way, props to her for keeping it cool.
And Harry? He was apparently smitten from the get-go. Who wouldn't be? Meghan’s got that whole, you know, global icon vibe going on. Even back then, she was a star on Suits. So, it wasn't like he was dating just anyone. He was dating a seriously talented, seriously gorgeous actress.
So, July 2016. That’s our anchor point. That’s when the wheels started turning. But, like, were they dating officially dating? Or just, like, going on a few fun dates? The lines can get a little blurry in the early stages of any romance, especially when one of the people involved is, you know, the spare to the heir.
The Secret Whispers Begin: When Did We All Start Suspecting?
Things were pretty hush-hush in the beginning. They were smart about it, trying to keep their budding romance out of the spotlight. Which, let’s be honest, is practically an Olympic sport when you’re dealing with the British press. They’re like bloodhounds for royal gossip. Relentless.
But secrets, especially royal ones, have a way of leaking out, don't they? Little whispers started to emerge. Rumours. The internet, bless its nosy heart, started to put two and two together. People noticed Harry seemed happier, maybe a little more distracted. And Meghan? Well, she was suddenly being linked to a certain ginger prince.
The first real public hint, or at least the first time the public was officially made aware of their connection, came a few months later. We’re talking October 2016. That's when Us Weekly dropped the bombshell. They reported that Harry and Meghan were "casually" dating. Casually! Like, picking out pumpkins and going for walks in the park casually. Or maybe casually planning their future world domination. You never know with these things!
This was huge! It was the first confirmation, albeit from a magazine. It sent the internet into a frenzy. #RoyalBabyWatch was officially replaced by #RoyalRomanceWatch. People were clamouring for more. Who is she? What’s her deal? Is she going to be the next Princess Diana? (Let’s put a pin in that one, shall we? Too much pressure for anyone!).
Harry's Bold Move: The Public Statement!
Now, here's where Harry really stepped up. Instead of letting the tabloids run wild and speculate endlessly, he decided to address the rumours head-on. And not just with a wink and a nod. No, no. He issued a statement. A formal, royal statement. In November 2016.
This wasn’t just any statement. This was Harry being Harry, protective and fierce. He was basically saying, "Hands off my girlfriend, you vultures!" He confirmed that they were indeed a couple and, more importantly, he called out the media for the relentless harassment Meghan had been facing. Racist abuse, sexism, you name it. It was brutal. And Harry was NOT having it.
This statement was a big deal for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it was the first time Buckingham Palace had ever commented on a "personal relationship" like this. Huge! Secondly, it showed how serious Harry was about Meghan. He wasn't just dabbling; he was all in. He was willing to use his royal platform to defend her. That’s love, folks. Or at least, a very strong indication of it.
So, while July 2016 was the meeting, and October 2016 was the first rumour confirmation, November 2016 was when the world officially knew, "Yep, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are a thing. And he's going to protect her."
The Relationship Unfolds: Public Appearances & Growing Love
After Harry’s statement, things started to shift. While they still tried to maintain a level of privacy (good luck with that!), they weren’t quite as hidden. We started to see them out and about, at least in paparazzi photos. Little glimpses of their happiness.
One of the first times they were officially seen together in a more public capacity was at the Invictus Games in Toronto in September 2017. Oh. My. Goodness. This was the moment for many. Meghan was there, looking absolutely radiant, cheering Harry on. They weren’t holding hands, but they were sitting together, looking SO cozy. You could practically feel the love radiating off the screen. It was like a scene from a movie, except it was real life!
And after that? It was a snowball effect. They became more comfortable being seen together. The more they were photographed, the more the public fell in love with them as a couple. They just worked. She’s intelligent, accomplished, and has this incredible warmth. He’s charming, down-to-earth (for a prince, anyway!), and clearly adores her.
The Engagement Bomb Drop!
And then, the news we were all waiting for. The moment that sealed the deal and made it official, official: November 27, 2017. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement! Can you believe it? We went from a blind date in July to a royal engagement in just over a year. Talk about a whirlwind romance!
The engagement photos? Stunning. The interview? Adorable. Harry talked about how he knew Meghan was "the one" from the very first time they met. And Meghan? She looked like she was floating on air. It was pure joy. Pure fairy tale.
The official announcement from Kensington Palace was, of course, very formal. But the excitement? It was palpable. The world was buzzing. We were all collectively squealing with delight. Royal wedding planning was officially underway, and we were all glued to our screens, waiting for May 19, 2018.
So, To Sum It All Up…
When did Meghan Markle and Prince Harry start dating? The spark ignited in July 2016. The public got their first official whiff in October 2016. Harry made it unmistakably clear in November 2016 with his powerful statement. And by September 2017, they were practically a public power couple, culminating in their engagement announcement in November 2017.
It’s been quite the journey, hasn’t it? From a blind date to a royal wedding and beyond. It’s a story that captured the world’s imagination, proving that sometimes, even in the most unlikely of circumstances, true love can blossom. And for a while there, it was pure, unadulterated, happily-ever-after magic.
And hey, even if things have gotten a bit… complicated since then, that initial spark, that exciting beginning? It’s still a pretty fascinating chapter in the modern royal story, wouldn't you agree? It’s the kind of story that makes you believe in a little bit of magic, even if it comes with a whole lot of paparazzi and palace protocols. Cheers to love, no matter how it starts!