How Harry and Meghan's engagement news unfolded five years ago today
By Kahla Preston|
On this day five years ago, American actress Meghan Markle officially became a duchess-in-waiting.
Through the latter half of 2017, the rumour mill had been spinning at hyperspeed, with whispers of an imminent engagement between the Suits star and Prince Harry.
This speculation was only fanned by reports Meghan had met key members of her royal beau's family, including the late Queen Elizabeth II, and moved to London from her base in Toronto.
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The actress had also declared her love for Harry in the October 2017 issue of Vanity Fair, telling the magazine, "We're a couple. We're in love ... this is our time."
As to be expected, 'The Firm' stayed quiet จC even when TV crews expectantly assembled outside Kensington Palace, where Harry lived at the time, on the weekend of November 25 to 26.
As it turned out, they were only off by a day.
On Monday November 27, the news of Harry and Meghan's engagement was confirmed in a statement from Clarence House, the then-Prince Charles' royal office.
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"His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle," it read.
"His Royal Highness and Ms Markle became engaged in London earlier this month. Prince Harry has informed Her Majesty The Queen and other close members of his family."
The release added that Harry had sought the blessing of Meghan's parents Thomas Markle Sr. and Doria Ragland, who released a statement of their own.
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"We are incredibly happy for Meghan and Harry. Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person," it read.
"To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for us as parents. We wish them a lifetime of happiness and are very excited for their future together."
Following royal precedent, Harry and Meghan marked the milestone with a photo call in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace.
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Holding hands, the couple จC who met on a blind date in mid-2016 จC beamed as they told the throng of photographers they were "thrilled" to be engaged.
"We're very happy, and very happy it's not raining," Harry quipped, pointing to the grey London sky.
He also admitted he knew his fiancจฆe was 'The One' from "the very first moment" they met.
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Naturally, there was plenty of interest in Meghan's outfit จC her first major taste of the fashion influence she'd wield as a member of the British monarchy.
The future Duchess of Sussex wore a green dress by Italian label P.A.R.O.S.H, a white belted trench coat by Canadian brand Line the Label, and Aquazzura heels.
Later that day, the couple sat down for a joint interview with Mishal Husain of BBC News, in which they shared further details of the proposal.
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Meghan recalled Harry popped the question while they were roasting a chicken at their Nottingham Cottage home in early November.
"It was just an amazing surprise. It was so sweet, and natural and very romantic. I could barely let you finish, I was like, 'Can I say yes now?'" she said.
"She wouldn't let me finish. She just kept saying 'Yes' and I was like, 'Can I give you the ring now?' and she was like, 'Oh yes, the ring!'" Harry added.
Interestingly, it has since been claimed in the biography Finding Freedom that the proposal took place in August 2017, three months before the announcement.
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The couple also shared the story of Meghan's engagement ring, which was designed by Harry and made by the Queen's official jeweller.
The central diamond was sourced from Botswana, a country the pair had visited during the early months of their relationship.
The two side stones were from the personal collection of the late Princess Diana, a touch Meghan described as "thoughtful".
"Not being able to meet his mother, it's so important to me to know that she's a part of this with us, to make sure she is with us on this crazy journey together," she added.
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The engagement announcement came roughly a year after Harry confirmed the couple's relationship in an official statement, an unusual move for a royal family member.
In it, he condemned the "wave of abuse and harassment" directed at Meghan both publicly and privately by members of the public and the tabloid media.
"Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her," the missive read.
"It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm."
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Though various paparazzi photos of the pair had emerged, their first official appearance together took place at the Invictus Games in Toronto in September 2017.
Things haven't exactly quietened down for Harry and Meghan in the five years since they stood, grins on their faces and hands entwined, in the palace grounds.
The couple tied the knot in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018, receiving the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Months later they announced Meghan was expecting their first child, and son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor was born on May 6, 2019.
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However, the biggest surprise came in January 2020 when the couple announced their intention to resign as senior working royals in favour of a 'financially independent' life.
The Duke and Duchess initially relocated to Canada before moving permanently to the United States. They have since bought their first home in Montecito, California.
On June 6, 2021, the couple expanded their family, welcoming baby daughter Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor in the United States. ?
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