HARRY AND MEGHAN'S ROYAL ROMANCE
2016
JULY
- Harry and Markle go for a drink on their first date after being introduced by a mutual friend
- It was such a success they arranged to meet the next day
- Three or four weeks later they went camping for five days in Botswana
- Harry met Markle's father Thomas Markle soon after romantic sparks started flying between the pair, according to her half-brother Thomas Markle Jnr
OCTOBER
- Rumours surface in the media that Harry is secretly dating the Canada-based Suits star
NOVEMBER
- Harry confirms his relationship with Markle and asks the public to stop harassing his girlfriend
- Prince William issues his own statement in support of his younger brother
DECEMBER
- Markle and Harry are first photographed by the paparazzi during a stroll in London where they watch a West End show, and later reportedly buy a Christmas tree
2017
JANUARY
- The pair visit Norway to see the northern lights
- Markle meets Harry's sister-in-law Kate Middleton and her daughter Princess Charlotte
FEBRUARY
- Paparazzi snap Harry and Markle leaving the exclusive members' club Soho House in London
MARCH
- The pair take a trip to Jamaica for the wedding of Harry's friend Tom Inskip
MAY
- Markle attends the reception of Harry's sister-in-law Pippa Middleton after her wedding to James Matthews
- Harry is cheered on by his girlfriend at a polo tournament in England and are photographed for the first time sharing a kiss
AUGUST
- Harry is rumoured to have asked Markle to marry him while on holiday together in Botswana to celebrate her 36th birthday
SEPTEMBER
- Gracing the cover of Vanity Fair, Markle speaks about her love for Harry in an interview
- In keeping with royal protocol, the pair are photographed seated about 18 chairs apart for the opening of the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada
- The couple are later photographed watching a tennis match between Australia and New Zealand
OCTOBER
- Markle's dad Thomas gives Harry his blessing to marry his daughter as an impending engagement announcement looms, British tabloids report
- Markle reportedly has tea with Harry and the Queen at Buckingham Palace
NOVEMBER
- Harry surprises Markle by popping the question over roast chicken at his Kensington Palace home
- Markle wraps up filming on US TV drama Suits
- Pictures emerge of Markle shopping in London, sparking speculation she has moved in with Harry
- Speculation about a royal engagement reaches fever pitch when bookmakers stop taking bets on the couple marrying
- Staff at Buckingham and Kensington palaces are reportedly briefed about the couple's engagement and told they will have a non-traditional wedding.
- Prince Charles announces his son is engaged to Markle
- Harry and Markle appear before photographers at Kensington Palace and discuss their romance in a 20-minute BBC interview
- Markle talks about transitioning out of her acting career so she can focus working as a team with Harry on humanitarian causes across the Commonwealth
- Markle confirms she has met all the key people in Harry's family, including the Queen "a couple of times", and adds that while Harry has spoken to her dad a few times the pair are yet to meet.
