The Royal Family
Of all the A-list celebrities out there, the British Royal family always seems to stand above them. But with all their popularity, how much can you say you know about their secretive lives? Sure, you can always look them up on a search engine, but that's information anyone can access. The info they don't want getting out is much harder to dig up -- such as that fact that Prince Harry and Prince William are hiding their step-sister from the public.
Not a lot of people knew about this until now. In 1981, Prince Charles and Lady Diana got married. It was an amazing weeding and they caught the public eye as one great couple.
Prince Charles
As far as the public knows, Prince Charles has always been a model husband. Some have even referred to him as the real Prince Charming. But what the public didn't know was that Charles had to make space in his heart for someone other than Diana.
Because Charles had obligations as a royal member he had to give up his secret romance. It was very hard for him to do so and things started spiraling from that point. The perfect couple wasn't so perfect anymore.
Prince Charles' Secret Love Affair
You might be wondering who the mystery woman that stole Charles heart it? It was in 1971 when he met a woman named Camilla Parker Bowles. He fell madely in love with her and soon they were a couple.
After a few years of living happily, the couple had to end things. Even after their break up they still had many residual feelings. Their feelings would soon create complications for The Royal family.
Princess Diana Comments on the Divorce
While Lady Diana was going forward with divorcing Prince Charles in 1995, she told BBC, "There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded."
Lady Diana was strong and wouldn't let this get the better of her. Instead of being the hurt wife who complains about her awful marriage, she took all the important problems and gave those attention. Her marriage wasn't going to be the end of her.
Princess Diana Was Beloved
Diana felt like being a princess was second nature to her. It seemed so effortless when she took on that role. She was loved by many and enjoyed the crowd's praise. But at the same time, she took her role as the Princess of Wales very serious.
Diana stressed the importance of charity work and added something to the Royal Family. She had her priorities in order and would soon became an icon among the people. But she found one thing more important than anything else.
Princess Diana Loved Her Kids More Than Anything
Diana cared about her kids more than anything else. Unlike other Royal Ladies before her, Diana didn't rely on babysitters much and preferred to raise them herself. She redefined what it was to be a Royal mother.
She worked her duties around her boys. She always made sure that she could spend as much time as possible with William and Harry. She transported them to school and back herself. She would do anything for her children.
Diana and Charles
Even as successful as she was with her children. There was one aspect of her life that wasn't going to well. Her marriage to Prince Charles. It was in the mid-'90s that her marriage creating a black cloud around the otherwise clean Royal Family.
Soon after seperating they decided to get a divorce. Things were looking low for them. But things were about to get far worse than anyone could have imagined. Nobody was ready.
Princess Diana's Passing
When everyone heard the news that Diana had passed away, nobody could believe it. People from everywhere in the world decided to come to London to pay their respects. The people showed how much they loved Diana when thousands of flowers were placed outside Buckingham Palace.
In this picture there countless bouquets of flowers at the gates of Buckingham Palace. The entire globe would have trouble coming to terms with Diana's death.
Diana's Funeral
Diana's funural was public and countless people showed up for it. Everyone couldn't believe she was gone. Her family was hit the hardest and didn't know how they'd resume their life without her.
The Royal Family was on hard times. First the divorce with Prince Charles, and now Diana's passing. The Royal men did their best to stay respectful during this time and didn't act out. Everyone but Prince Charles, that is. He did things that no prince should do, especially during these hard times.
Prince Charles Moves On
Sometime after, people learned that Prince Charles had already moved on in life. It was here that people saw Camilla again. The old romance sparked up again and people heard the news that they were to be wed.
Prince Charles was getting bad reception from the public at this time. There was outrage about Camilla become the young prince's new stepmother. People were saying that Camilla was always in the background during Prince Charle's marriage and that he mistreated her.
The Public Didn't Like The Duchess Camilla
The public didn't want to accept Camilla as the new Royal Lady. It just felt like she was trying to replace the hole that Diana left. People loved Diana so much that they couldn't help but dislike her. This made things even harder for the Royal Family.
The Royal Family seemed happy with Charles' new marriage and even his children were happy for him. With Camilla's help they were positive again. They became a strong Royal Family again.
Charles Shares Private Information
During an interview in 2005, Harry was the one to tell the press that, "She's not the wicked stepmother. William and I love her to bits." Thanks to this comment and time passing, the British public finally started to accept Camilla.
Things started to turn around and better times were finally coming for the Royals. However, there was one more thing that Camilla brought when she married the prince. Something that nobody would talk about for a long time. It was a rather dark secret, one that was well kept.
Camilla's Family
All the focus was directed at Camilla and her joining the Royal family. Just a few realized that Camilla had two children from her first marriage – a son and a daughter. What was going to happen to them?
One of them stepped immediately into the spotlight and accepted the public role. About the other? Well, the other child worked hard to stay behind the curtains. For a long time, Camilla was the main focus and nobody realized that there was much more than met the eye.
Camilla's Son - Tom Parker-Bowles
The child that accepted the role was Camilla’s son, Tom Parker-Bowles. He is a well-known and respected food critic and writer. He is also a published author and has been on British television for quite a bit, and not just because of his royal connections.
He has published several books, and has appeared on the cooking TV show “Masterchef.” He also helped Chef Gordon Ramsay in his television series, "The F-Word." He accepted the spotlight without any issues, unlike his sister, and there was a reason for this secrecy.
Camilla's Daughter - Laura Lopes
Camilla's daughter's name is Laura Lopes. All this time, she worked hard to stay out of the spotlight. She did appear in large events, like Royal weddings, but she always tried to stay somewhere in the background.
She was always hiding behind major individuals, so she wouldn’t draw attention. She never walked with the family, so nobody talked about her. There was a reason for this, though. A reason for always hiding and staying in the shadow of the Royal family.
A Love Triangle
When Diana and Charles got married, both Laura and Tom were just kids. The love affair between Camilla and Charles was a known fact, so paparazzi always kept an eye on her and followed her everywhere. This was not a problem only for Camilla, but also for Tom and Laura.
They had to deal with paparazzi all the time. They took it hard, and it was too much for them to handle. The way they spent their childhood shaped their feelings about the press as they got older. Looking at Tom, he handled that better than Laura. All she ever wanted was to remain behind the curtain.
Paparazzi Stalk Camilla's Family
Paparazzi followed Camilla’s family even years before she ever married the Prince. They were always trying to catch a moment or a picture that would be worth something to the press. They were always invading private moments.
There was nothing that Camilla and her family could do that wasn’t followed by the paparazzi. They even chased their car while it was stuck in traffic. That was something far too close to what happened to Diana, which made them all the more uncomfortable, and they struggled with how to manage the problem.
Tom Comments the Press
In one of his interviews for the Mails, Tom explained, “They’re bullies, half of these people, and they made you very angry,“ "All I wanted to do was smack them in the face and beat the hell out of them. But you couldn’t do that.”
Tom was open about his feelings and wishes, something that Laura wasn’t. She had a different view of the situation, and she thought differently than Tom. Unlike her brother, who stepped into the spotlight, Laura decided to take the opposite approach to it all.
Laura Tries to Escape the Spotlight
Everything she endured during her childhood, made Laura retreat from the spotlight as much as she could. She thought that she was just a target for the paparazzi, and that is why she withdrew herself from the spotlight as often as possible.
However, nothing comes for free. There was a price to be paid for withdrawing from the spotlight. Not being in the spotlight also meant distancing from her family. They were always in the public eye, and she knew that it would be the same for her if she chose to have a close relationship with them.
Camilla Is a Family Woman
After her wedding to Charles, Camilla told the media that she could not have gotten to where she is today without her family. She credits them for keeping her sane when the paparazzi were overbearing.
She praises them for loving one another and giving each other strength when needed to make sure they remained as close as they could. While they do not see each other as much as they would like to, blood is thicker than water with this family, despite the distance.
The Royal Wives
One thing about Royal relationships has been in the spotlight for as long as they have been – the rumors about the true nature of the royal family. One of the relationships that are in the spotlight for a long time now is that of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.
Even though Meghan went into the family and had a child with Harry, the rumors didn’t stop there. It looked like the two women were at odds all the time, and that there was always a problem from a different nature coming up.
Meghan & Kate's Disagreement
The information about what the girls were fighting about was the most sought thing. Reporters tried very hard to find the reason when they realized that the cause was something else. The true root of the issue wasn’t a problem between the wives but between the brothers.
The cold vibe between the couples was not because of an issue that the women had with one another. The problem had more to do with a disagreement between William and Harry. Apparently, their respective wives supported each one of them on and off.
Royal Brothers Fail to Get Along
The two brothers have been close their entire lives. They were there for each other, especially after their mother passed. They knew that it was them against the world. However, as they grew older, things got different between them.
Now, as grown men who were also fathers and husbands, there was something that made them disagree for the first time in their lives. The public didn’t know what was the cause and it was so strange to think that they were not agreeing on something.
Harry and Meghan Distance Themselves
The issue between the brothers caught the public by surprise. The public was unaware of it until there was a serious change in the tradition of the Windsors. Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan decided to take an unusual step.
They wanted to distance themselves from the rest of the Royals, at least in the physical way. They were adamant to do something that most Royals had not been able to do. Most importantly, something that Prince William and Duchess Kate were never allowed to do.
Meghan Becomes a Princess
Harry and Meghan moved in right after their wedding. The reason for that was so that those in the Royal fold could teach Meghan how to be a Duchess. For a year, she learned everything that comes with being one, and she got used to the lifestyle.
All of that was perfectly normal, but something changed. Both the public and the Royal family were shocked because these things usually never happen. And that is what probably caused the rift between the two brothers.
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is just a mere walk down the road from the residence of Princess Eugenie, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Kent. Just across the Palace, William and Kate lived in their 21-room apartment.
It was the standard for the Royals to live next to each other. Areas in which they lived are always designated by the Queen as she is the one making those decisions. However, things were about to change for Harry and Meghan. Just for them, a rule was about to be broken.
Meghan & Harry Leave Kensington Palace
While they were expecting their first child, Meghan and Harry decided to say goodbye to Kensington Palace and the “Nott Cott” they lived in. They moved their belongings with themselves to Frogmore Cottage at Windsor.
This new home was so different from the old one. First of all, it was bigger than “Nott Cott.” Secondly, it was far away from everyone else. This way, Harry and Meghan would have the privacy that they wanted during their pregnancy and married life together.
Nott Cott
Before Harry met and got married to Meghan, “Nott Cott” was his bachelor pad. Since it only had two bedrooms, it was about to get a makeover. However, the public wasn’t convinced that renovation was the real reason behind moving out.
The media assumed that the real reason was something else, that it had to do more with wanting to be out of the Royal spotlight, which meant having more privacy. Also, to move out of the focus of the British media, that had the reputation of being very invasive and dangerous.
The Public Gets Suspicious
The storm was rising. At first, the media thought it was something minor happening. However, they couldn’t figure out what was causing the cold shoulder from within the Royal family, and speculations were just growing bigger. Something big was definitely happening, but what exactly?
Alongside the speculations, the tension between the brothers grew as well. Especially with the relocation and the birth of baby Archie. Nobody was comfortable with the growing cold between William and Harry. What could have possibly happened to make things go this way?
The Real Reason for the Relocation
Not long after, the real reason for their decision was finally revealed. After all, the tension between the Royals started when Harry and Meghan got together. The first time William met Meghan was when she came for a visit to Kensington Palace.
After they met, William had a few things to say to Harry about her. He decided to tell him what he thought about the woman Harry was dating and hoping to marry. This was the beginning of tension and rift between the two brothers.
William Shares His Opinion with Harry
After William saw that Harry and Meghan were madly in love with each other, he knew in which direction that was going. Of course, everything pointed to marriage. So William sat Harry down, a decision supposed to give him peace of mind.
He told him not to make rash decisions, and that he should carefully choose to whom will he get married. He was talking about his experience. That serious commitment was not something you dive headfirst. It was sincere brotherly advice.
William Disapproves of Meghan
A source said, “William told his brother they knew nothing about her background, her intentions, what she was really like.” They also said that William tried to be sensitive and gentle about his concerns, but apparently, his wording could have been better.
Harry was pretty annoyed with William, because of his words, and he did not take the advice very well. Like most of us, Harry didn’t like to be told what to do. However, when you are a member of the Royal family, sometimes obeying an older family member is a must.
William Gives Harry a Fair Warning
A royal court member, the source, also shared more about their talk, “He just wanted to stress that becoming part of the Royal Family is a massive undertaking, and the pressure and scrutiny are [sic] unrelenting. Was Meghan the right one?”
This annoyed Harry because he had probably already put a lot of thought into the matter. He had already asked himself those questions. After all, he knew just how hard it was to be a Royal, and that their every move was carefully tracked.
William Hits Below the Belt
There was a disagreement between Harry and William. Harry saw the conversation that William had with him as a hit below the belt. Talking like that about the woman he loved, was a sensitive subject for him. As you can guess, the conversation didn’t end well.
Meghan was a famous actress in the United States, so she was already used to the spotlight, the media, and everything that came with it. Nevertheless, the public already started to ask the same questions and scrutinize Meghan and her family. Harry was not about to let his brother do the same.
Royals Don't Want to Accept Meghan
Why were the Royals so cold toward Meghan, what was the real reason behind this reluctance? It wasn’t totally clear, but the media thought that it was because of Meghan's family. Her father, Thomas Markle, and her half-sister, Samantha Markle, were constantly talking to the press.
That might have been the reason that made it hard for the Royal family to be okay with them and with Meghan. Not only the Royals but the public as well were not fond of Meghan’s family. That constant talk with the press made the life of the Royals that much more complicated.
Royals Dislike Americans
That one was a plausible cause. However, one source went on to say that the reason for such coldness toward Meghan was probably a completely different one. The source shared that this coldness actually came from the fact that she was African American.
That is not okay to say, even as a joke. Such negative and prejudiced comment was not a proud moment. There were also a few other speculations. For example, it was said that they did not like the fact that she was an actress. By that, they meant that they did not know if they were getting the real Meghan.
Harry and Meghan's Relationship Survives
Despite all the criticism, Harry and Meghan stayed true to each other. They had their course to follow and they wouldn’t let anything get to them. Everybody could see that they were madly in love.
Despite the worries that William and the rest of the Royal family might have had, Meghan quickly became a beloved Royal. Meghan enjoyed the spotlight, and it seemed that it liked her in return, but not everything is like it seems to be.
Harry Didn't Allow Anyone to Criticize Meghan
According to a source inside the palace, Harry was the source of all this drama, unbelievably. They said that “Harry will brook no criticism of Meghan, and he is so sensitive he often sees criticism or negativity where there isn’t any.”
A situation like this is somewhat common among many new couples. The whole family is prying into your lives, telling you what to do. However, when you are someone like Harry, and the whole world is telling you what they think about your new girlfriend, it is easy to see how things can get complicated.
Prince Harry Becomes Protective
The source also said, “It’s my opinion that Harry feels he couldn’t protect his mother, so he’s going all out to protect his wife.” That is probably the root of the issue for Harry. He was very close to his mother before she passed.
That closeness made him feel helpless when she passed away because he had no control over those things. Also, Diana was plastered all over the press every day, and that was a huge hardship for her family. This time, Harry was about to stop history from repeating itself.
The Queen Makes an Important Decision
At first glance, William, Harry, Kate, and Meghan were thick as thieves. At least, that what it looked like. After all, everybody called them "The Fab Four." However, the tension between the group grew even bigger after the Queen’s decision.
Harry was named the Youth Ambassador to the Commonwealth. This was not something William was okay with, because he was supposed to be next in line. The brothers were not up for petty fights over titles and appointments, but this event surely added to the tension.
The Royal Family Argues Like Any Normal Family
The public doesn’t always listen to the press when it comes to the news that the Royals are fighting. They don’t like that idea, and they believe that the press is making things up just to get a good news day.
However, in one interview, they asked the Fab Four themselves if they got into arguments and disagreed on things. William was quick to answer, "Oh, yes." At least he was honest, and it really made sense. When you reunite four siblings, there surely is going to be some drama there.
How Royals Handle Disagreements
After William’s answer, everybody laughed nervously. The following question was about whether the group ever worked out their troubles with each other. Harry gave the answer to that question and said, "we don't know." The seemingly unbreakable bond between the two brothers was showing signs of strain.
While everybody thought that the Fab Four was a perfect little group, things were completely different. The public could see the underlying tension between the brothers and their wives. That was something they couldn’t ignore anymore.
Kate and Meghan's Relationship
The complicated dynamic between Kate and Meghan seemed to make the issues between the brothers only worse. When Meghan was entering the royal fold, she was seeing Kate as an ally. An ally that would help her get the hang of all things royal.
After all, Kate had been in the fold much longer than she had, so it was natural to expect that. However, they had started on the wrong foot, so, despite all of Meghan’s hopes, there was a possibility that it wasn’t going to happen. That was just one more reason for the strained relationship.
Kate Doesn't Have Time for Meghan
Kate had too much on her plate during the time Meghan was entering the royal fold. She was pregnant with her third child. Also, she had her royal responsibilities, and she was caring for her older two children as well.
With a lot to handle, Kate didn't realize that Meghan was expecting her to help her with her problems. Meghan was hurt by this. She saw this lack of assistance as a sign that she was not welcome. That made an even bigger strain between the women and their husbands.
They Never Talk About Their Relationship
Everything started to make sense, but no one knew for sure if the tension between the women was actually real. Maybe it was pretended, maybe they were friends or just something else altogether.
They never spoke to the press about how they actually felt about each other, so nobody knew what was really happening. One thing was sure, they both had a huge transition from a commoner life to that of a royal. And it was in front of the whole world to see and comment.
Kate and Meghan's First Appearance
The first official appearance of the (future) sisters-in-law was on a Christmas Day in 2017. On that day, they went to church with the rest of the Royal family. Although they had one thing in common, the fact that they were commoners, they still came from very different worlds.
They are not similar at all. Meghan is American, and Kate is British. They were raised differently, but somehow fate put them together in the same place at the same time. You can see their first outing on the picture above, along with Prince Phillip.
Meet Kate Middleton
Kate was non-royal, she was raised as a commoner, but she came from a wealthy and privileged background. Her parents ran a huge and successful party supply company. This allowed her to attend the University of St. Andrews in Edinburgh.
There, she met and befriended her classmate, Prince William. The photo above was from their time at university. In the photo, you can see the couple at the beginning of their relationship. And a lot more years would pass until these two would get to go down the aisle.
William Proposes to Kate
The proposal came in Africa in 2010, but only after many years of dating, and one short breakup. There was a huge hype around their wedding, both the media and the public called it "The Wedding of the Century."
It was surely a great event to see in 2010 because it was televised so the whole world could enjoy it. After Kate married Prince William, she entered the royal fold and gained the title of Duchess of Cambridge. A year after that, Meghan Markle also got married, but it had nothing to do with the royals.
The Royal Newlyweds
While Kate and William were enjoying their time as newlyweds, Meghan was in Los Angeles on her way to get married. In 2011, she married the producer and actor Trevor Engelson. However, after only two years of marriage, they decided to get divorced.
The reason for that was that Meghan's career suddenly skyrocketed, and Trevor’s did not. It is common for Hollywood couples to end their relationships in these situations. After all, Hollywood is all about power, and there could be only one successful party.
Meghan Markle's Career
Meghan started with small parts. At the beginning of her career, she was being the briefcase girl on "Deal or No Deal." Then she had a big breakthrough. She landed a huge role in the legal series “Suits,” in which she played the character of Rachel Zane.
This was just the beginning of her career as a major star. However, her role in the show was a large one and very important to the story. That role helped her unlock many doors after, and one of those doors led her to Prince Harry.
Meghan's Unbelievable Blind Date
With all that fame and stardom, you are bound to make new friends. Meghan surely did, because one day, in 2016, one of her friends came to her with a huge surprise. Without Meghan’s knowledge, her friend set her up on a blind date.
The blind date we are talking about was none other than Prince Harry. They went out, and clearly, everything went well. They were seeing each other more often. And, when they realized that there was something real between them, they decided to take things to the next level.
Meghan Meets the Royals
Meghan surely made a really good impression on the Royal family. That is probably the reason she got the invitation to Kate's 35th birthday party. The Royals were obviously impressed with Meghan, otherwise, she would not have gotten the personal invite.
It might have been a courtesy invite, but Meghan went to the party. As a birthday present, Kate got a dream journal from Meghan. This was the first time she met Kate and the Royals. It was the perfect opportunity for them to meet Meghan.
Forced to Spend Time Together
However, that wasn’t the end. Both women were going to get to know each other better, whether they liked it or not, and this time as sisters-in-law. Harry and Meghan got married in 2018. The ceremony was huge, similar to William and Kate’s.
This was a huge step forward for the British Royal family. Meghan Markle, a divorced actress from the United States and of African American descent had officially become a Royal, a Windsor. This wedding crossed many old barriers, and it was truly a step into modernity.
Two New Sisters-in-Law
Kate and Meghan were firmly within the Royal fold, and now they were officially sisters-in-law. Everybody wanted to know how these two women got along. Both the media and the public were aching for a piece of information.
A royal insider told that it was stressful for everybody because the women had a rocky start to their relationship. That came as a surprise to the public, because to their eyes, Meghan and Kate were perfect Royal sisters. After all, how could not they possibly love one another?
What Was the Cause of the Bad Start?
The truth was different indeed. The cause for the rocky start was Meghan’s expectations of Kate. At the time, Kate was pregnant with her and William’s third son, Louis. She had too much on her plate, but Meghan didn’t know that.
Kate felt a lot of pressure from the public regarding her physical appearance and her duties. She just didn’t have enough time to help Meghan transition into the royal fold. Meghan probably resented her for that, but it was just a big misunderstanding.
Meghan Doesn't Give Up
Meghan didn’t give up immediately on Kate. She went on to share some dietary advice with her in order to help her through the rest of her pregnancy. When Meghan offered a helping hand, Kate made sure to reciprocate.
Meghan was in a big dilemma, and Kate stepped in to help. They figured that working together was bound to only make good things happen. They could figure things out better. Together they were stronger. After all, both of them were commoners before that.
Kate's Royal Transformation
Kate was a veteran of the whole Royal lifestyle. She knew how to act and how to dress. She knew what the protocols were and why they were even in place. Meghan was new to all of that, and she needed guidance.
Kate had a chance to help her sister-in-law. She could teach her everything about that, all the ins and outs of royal life. If she was alone, Meghan would’ve probably had a hard time, but with Kate by her side, everything was about to get easier.
Royal Ladies Start Seeing Eye to Eye
After they cleared the initial misunderstanding, Kate and Meghan started seeing eye to eye. There were no more misunderstandings, and a strong bond formed between them. They spent a lot more one-on-one time together.
In this photo, you can see the two of them during the Wimbledon match. They were constantly commenting and making jokes. You could hear a lot of genuine laughs from their direction. This photo is proof that they seemed very keen on each other.
The Royal Family Starts Extending
All that time they were spending together brought them closer both on a personal and professional level. Kate invited Meghan to join the Royal Foundation Forum and took her under her wing.
The Royal Foundation Forum is an organization that was started by William and Harry, so it made sense that Meghan joined, too. It was a family organization, and now Meghan was also an official part of the family. This photo is the one that started the nickname "The Fab Four."
A Huge Success for Meghan
This was a large step for Meghan, especially because it was in the right direction. A source close to the Royal family said, “She really admires how Kate has carved out her own space when it comes to humanitarian work alongside being an amazing mother.”
Kate resembled late Princess Diana in this way. She kept a perfect balance between motherhood and royal responsibilities. It is a tough feat to achieve for anyone, but it is especially hard for a Royal.
Meghan and Harry Have Big News
In late 2018, a big announcement came from Meghan and Harry. They announced that they too were expecting a child together. The whole world was ecstatic, but no one was more excited for Meghan than Kate.
Kate was overjoyed that she and Meghan were able to go through parenting their children together. The kids would grow together in a happy home. However, there was one thing she did not foresee. There was a huge change on the horizon, and it happened really fast.
Breaking the Tradition
The decision was made, Meghan and Harry were moving out of Kensington Palace and into Frogmore Cottage. This was something unexpected, and unusual by all means. This was not the way things were normally done.
Everyone in the royal family customarily lives on the same grounds, but the cottage was a separate roof. It looked like they had had enough of prying eyes. Harry and Meghan wanted their own place and privacy so that they could have alone time as expectant parents.
The Truth About Being a Royal
Meghan was a Hollywood star, but it was only when she met Harry that she learned just how scrutinizing the world could be of your every move and relationship. When they met for the first time, on a blind date, they only knew obvious stuff about each other.
Meghan needed to educate herself on Harry's royal blood and history because she knew very little about it. Especially if their relationship went further. They didn’t have a fairy-tale-like beginning, but it looks like they are well on their way to a fairy-tale-like ending.
Meghan Keeps Everything a Secret
Meghan is always tight-lipped when it comes to talking about Harry. However, in one of her interviews for BBC, she said, “I didn’t know much about him, so the only thing I asked… was, ‘Well is he nice?'”
Harry knew little to nothing about the woman he was about to meet. He didn’t even know who Meghan was before he met her. It was probably awkward when they first met, but since they clearly liked each other, it could not have been that bad.
Love at First Sight
It was love at first sight. Not long after they met for the first time, Harry invited Meghan to go on a trip with him to Africa to see how his charity worked. The Prince recalled, “[It] was crucial to me to make sure that we had a chance to get to know each other.”
It was the perfect opportunity for these two love birds to have some privacy. This was the perfect setting to get to know each other away from the United States or England.
Laying Low
They pulled an impossible feat for today’s standards. They managed to keep their relationship quiet for many months and they only made it known in late October 2016. Now the whole world knew about them.
Harry had “been desperate to keep the relationship quiet,” were the words of a source close to the prince. The Royal life was run by the media, and he wasn’t prepared to put his relationship into that spotlight until it was the right time.
Meghan Makes an Interesting Announcement
The photo below was posted to Meghan’s Instagram page on the day that they went public. It was a subtle way to tell the world about her new relationship status. She couldn’t have chosen a cuter way to announce it.
Everyone thought that it was just an ordinary photo. They thought that there was no way that the rumors that she was dating Prince Harry were real. However, it was a confirmation everybody secretly hoped for. The truth was finally out in the open.
The Press Starts Chasing Meghan
The media and tabloids jumped at every opportunity to learn something new about the couple. They were curious and wanted to know everything about Meghan and Harry; what they were doing together or when they were on their own.
Even though Meghan was used to being in the spotlight, this was a whole new level for her. There was no media before that was that interested in her personal life. And, the worst part was that these paparazzi were much more aggressive. All the attention was not negative; they wrote many positive things about Meghan, but the whole thing was very intense.
Meghan Is Shocked by the Change
“There was a misconception that this would be something I would be familiar with,” Meghan told BBC. “But I’ve never been part of tabloid culture. I’ve lived a relatively quiet life.”
Meghan was famous in Canada and the US. She got used to walking on red carpets and having her photo taken by photographers when she attended events. Every now and then, people would recognize her on the street and walk up to her. However, this was a whole new level of scrutiny. There were people out there following her every move. And this made Meghan very uncomfortable. The sad thing was, things just kept getting worse as time went by.
Meghan Can't Escape the Press
The press got worse and worse. They didn't even try to follow Meghan subtly anymore. They were always right behind her back, trying to find out where she was going and what she was doing. Everyone was fighting to be the first to break the news about Meghan to the British public.
To make things even worse, the press started harassing Doria, Meghan's mother. They were willing to go that far just to find something about Meghan. This was the drop that spilled the cup. Harry had enough and the entire situation reminded him of what his mother, Princess Diana, went through.
Harry Makes a Royal Statement
Harry took his time to think things through. He knew that a violent and aggressive reaction would just make things more scandalous. So, he decided to release a statement through the Royal House that would ask the press to end the harassment of Meghan and her family. “Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle’s safety. It is not right that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm.”
The statement was Harry's warning to the press. He showed them that he was serious enough and that he would do everything in his power to protect his significant other. After all, he had so much power in his hands, he could make their lives miserable only if he wanted to.
The Press Backs Down
Luckily, the statement had a positive effect on the press. They were very surprised and everyone thought that it would be wise to remain cautious and stay out of their way. However, it didn't take long for new rumors to appear. This time, everyone was talking about Prince William and the fact that he was unhappy.
William was not as brave as his brother, but Harry certainly did inspire him to take action. And now, William was preparing himself to make a public statement for the first time ever... Two princes issuing a public statement? The entire country realized that the situation was very serious. Diana's boys had had enough and they decided to stop the bullying for good.
Prince William Decides to Speak Out
In one part of his statement, Prince William's stated, “The Duke of Cambridge absolutely understands the situation concerning privacy and supports the need for Prince Harry to support those closest to him.” Making statements like this was a rare occurrence in the Royal family, and this time, it had a strong effect.
When the two brothers, the two princes, issued their statements, it was public proof that the entire Royal family stood together when someone was in trouble. At that time, they forgot about each other's differences or perhaps misunderstandings and they protected each other.
The Queen Blesses the New Couple
At first, Harry's statement was shocking. However, by the end of 2016, it was old and forgotten news. What was interesting at that time was that Queen Elizabeth approved of Meghan and gave the couple her blessing.
Even though the Queen might seem as cold when she is in public, we assume she is much different in private. After all, she is Harry's grandmother and we don't doubt that she loves him tremendously. According to one source, “[The Queen is] delighted to see Harry in a loving relationship.” Who wouldn't be happy to see their grandson in a relationship with a lovely woman like Meghan?
Meghan Markle & The Queen
The best part about Meghan and the Queen is that they actually like spending time together. Meghan met all the members of the Royal family and was slowly starting to get to know them. And, during all those encounters with Harry's family, she managed to show how strong their love was.
"It’s incredible, to be able to meet her through [Harry’s] lens,” Meghan shared with BBC. The Queen was also truly smitten with Meghan, and this photo proves it. She even shared one of her rare smiles with Meghan.
Meghan Adores Her Grandma-in-Law
“Not just with his honor and respect for her as the monarch, but the love that he has for her as his grandmother… She’s an incredible woman,” Meghan added. Even though Meghan and the Royals might not have gotten on well at first, things were changing for the better.
Now, Meghan had only wonderful things to say about Harry's family, especially the family matriarch and ruler. Of course, doing the opposite would be insane because the entire country loves their Queen. And, no matter how fond they are of Meghan, nothing can change their opinion about the Queen.
Harry and Meghan Are Finally Engaged
Finally, the world got to hear what everyone was waiting for - Harry and Meghan were engaged and soon to be married. One of Harry's friends stated that he "can see them engaged by the spring. Harry's head over heels."
The couple's closest friends and relatives were over the moon. Also, the British (and American) public was thrilled to hear that Meghan was not just another fling. Their relationship was real and not just another publicity stunt! This news was so exciting yet so shocking that it took everyone a few days to take everything in.
Harry and Meghan Attend Events Together
Once they made their relationship public, Meghan started accompanying Harry to more events. After all, she was his fiancé and had to be introduced that way. Besides public events, Meghan also started spending more time with Harry's family.
Most importantly, Meghan started becoming good friends with Prince William. In addition, Harry was so glad that his fiancé and his brother were getting along. “Naturally, William is very happy for his brother,” a source said. What made Harry incredibly Happy was that his brother was finally coming around after that initial piece of advice.
The Markle Family Meets the Royals
Meghan was not the only one who had to meet and spend time with the royals. Her family had to do it, too. The first time the Markles met with Harry, Meghan had to fly her mother, Doria Ragland, to London.
Doria first met Harry and then she was introduced to the rest of the Royal family. The relationship was getting very serious and the entire country was anxiously awaiting another royal wedding. However, nobody was as happy as Doria was. Finally, her little girl was happier than ever before.
Harry Meets His Mother-in-Law
Sure, Harry may have the title of a prince, but he is just a regular man. This means that he was very nervous when the time came to meet his future wife's mom. He was aware of everything Meghan had to go through and he wanted to make sure that Doria knew her daughter was making the right choice.
Luckily, Doria was very pleasant and kind and the two hit it off right away and became good friends. If this wasn't a sign that Meghan and Harry were perfect for each other, then nothing else was…
Doria, Meghan, and Harry
After their first meeting, Doria was invited to accompany the royal couple on many events and occasions. However, what everyone found surprising i\was that Meghan's dad was never seen hanging out with them.
Meghan was asked once if Harry had met her father. Meghan just replied that "Harry has talked to my dad a few times, [but] hasn’t been able to meet him yet." Sure, this was a convincing answer, but the public started becoming suspicious. Little did anyone know that there was something strange going on with Meghan's father and his side of the family. Both Meghan and the Royal family were in for a ride with them.
Long-Distance Relationship
Harry is from the UK and Meghan is from the US. Most people say that long-distance relationships are doomed from the start. However, Harry and Meghan were not willing to let geographical distance affect their relationship. These two were willing to make their relationship work no matter what.
When Meghan was in America filming episodes of "Suits," Harry didn't hesitate to fly to the US and visit Meghan frequently. When Meghan was not working, she would fly to London to spend as much time as possible with Harry.
Meghan Attends a Wedding with Harry
Everyone was confident that Harry and Meghan's relationship was serious, but many people still had their doubts about the couple's future. However, Meghan and Harry kept proving that they were meant for each other. The next step in their relationship occurred when Harry invited Meghan to accompany him to a friend's wedding in Jamaica.
Of course, Meghan accepted the invitation. And, this appearance was just another sign that these two were taking things seriously and that their relationship was constantly progressing. And, this photo from the wedding confirmed this to the rest of the world.
Meghan Makes Changes in Her Life
Besides her acting career, Meghan is also known for running a lifestyle blog called "The Tig." Everyone was slightly shocked to see Meghan giving up the website she worked on for years. There were plenty of rumors including that Meghan did it for Harry. Other rumors said that she had to do it because it was against the Royal protocol.
Meghan claimed that it was her decision to shut down the website because she wanted to start focusing on her philanthropic work. However, this argument was not convincing enough and people didn't trust her. Still, many believed that she had given up her blog just because of Harry.
Pippa Middleton's Wedding
Attending a friend's wedding is one thing, but, attending Harry's sister-in-law's wedding was completely another! Meghan was flown to London right before Pippa Middleton's wedding. The intensity of this couple's relationship just became much stronger!
It is said that Meghan was driven straight from Heathrow Airport upon her arrival at the royal palace. And, once she attended the wedding with Harry, these two just added tons of fuel to the media fire. However, true fans were just happy to see that this relationship was taking another step forward.
Meghan Attends Pippa Middleton's Wedding
Up until Pippa's wedding, Meghan attended plenty of events with Harry. However, Pippa's wedding was the first time that Meghan attended a family event closely related to the Royals. In addition, Meghan was seen at the Audi Polo Challenge.
At the Challenge, she was the proudest and most supportive girlfriend one could have. She was seen cheering and supporting Harry from the stand. Slowly but surely, Meghan was becoming an inevitable part of Harry's life. And, just like he accepted her as his life partner, everyone else did.
Meghan Makes Her Way to a Major Royal Event
The first time Meghan had the honor to attend a major royal event was in September 2017. She was invited to go to the Invictus Games, an event that honors wounded, sick or injured veterans through competitions and sports.
The Invictus Games was an event that was very near and dear to Harry's heart. So, bringing Meghan with him was a huge statement. This simple move proved to everyone that Harry and Meghan's relationship couldn't get any more serious. Meghan tried her best to take the part and she wore a poppy on her dress, just like the rest of the Royal family.
Invictus Games in Toronto
What made the 2017 Invictus Games even more special was that the event was held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. And, if you recall, that was where Meghan lived. While they were in Toronto, the couple went out a few times. And, they were not ashamed to express their affection toward each other while they were in public.
The couple also invited Meghan's mother, Doria, out with them a few times. It was becoming clear that this trio was bonding and they were already acting as a true family. Harry and Meghan looked happier than ever before. Maybe it was because they didn't have to hide their relationship from anyone anymore.
Meghan Spills the Beans
A year later, Meghan decided that she would share the truth about her relationship with a member of the Royal family. She was interviewed by Vanity Fair magazine and she got the opportunity to grace the cover of the magazine as well.
The interview focused on Meghan's private life and her relationship with Harry. And, after all that time, Meghan was finally willing to share the truth with the rest of the world. She explained how the two of them met and what they had to go through. The story was just like a fairytale; an ordinary girl meets her prince charming and gets a chance to become a princess herself.
She Reveals Details About the Relationship
"We’re a couple. We’re in love,” Meghan said. “I’m sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell.”
For the first time, Meghan was honest and open about her relationship with Harry, but she was in a difficult position. Yes, she was aware of the fact that the world was craving to hear more details about their relationship. She just couldn't reveal anything or it would compromise her position in the Royal family. Even though she shared some details with the public, Meghan kept most of the info for herself.
The Details
“But,” she continued. “I hope what people will understand is that this is our time. This is for us. It’s part of what makes it so special, that’s just ours. But we’re happy. Personally, I love a great love story."
In the end, Meghan shared just some basic details. She knew that the public wanted more, but she just couldn't say anything else. She knew that dating a Royal was an incredibly difficult task and she wanted to protect her relationship as well as her future. However, even though she couldn't talk about her love and emotions, Meghan didn't prevent herself from showing them. As you can see in this photo, Meghan and Harry are no strangers to openly showing affection to one another.
Meghan & Harry's Engagement
Shortly after these events, Meghan became the happiest woman in the world, just like every lady when she gets engaged. Prince Harry finally proposed to her, and the news of the engagement traveled very fast. Luckily, it traveled only across their inner circle and the public didn't know anything before Prince Charles issued an official statement.
Prince Charles' statement said the following, “His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle.” And, believe it or not, the three people mentioned in the statement were about to become the best of friends in the crazy Royal world.
Harry and Meghan Announce Their Engagement
There are some rules and traditions all Royals have to follow, as well as their spouses. Just like William and Kate, Harry and Meghan were also interviewed by BBC right after announcing their engagement.
Of course, one of the first questions that the couple was asked was how the proposal happened. Meghan was the one who retold this romantic story. She explained that the proposal happened in their Kensington cottage. The moment was incredibly romantic and it was everything she hoped for. Harry revealed that he was incredibly nervous before popping the question. However, in the end, he was very satisfied with how things turned out.
How Harry Proposed to Meghan
“It was just a standard typical night for us,” Harry said. Then, Meghan added: “Just a cozy night… trying to roast a chicken. It was just an amazing surprise, it was so sweet and natural and very romantic.”
Even though it seems that the members of the Royal family lead very different lives from regular people, they are not that different. They are just regular humans who share similar feelings and experiences with everyone else. One would think that a Royal would throw some incredible engagement surprise party, but Harry and Meghan thought that their cottage was perfectly appropriate.
Meghan Says "Yes!"
It was very sweet to hear how Meghan reacted when Harry popped the question. He claimed that she didn't even let him finish the sentence before she shouted "yes!"
"It was just the two of us and I think I managed to catch you by surprise as well," Harry said to Meghan in the interview. He was very proud of his charm and his ability to catch his fiancé by surprise. He wanted to make sure she had no idea what was going on so she could be overjoyed once he got down on one knee.
Harry and Meghan's Engagement Photoshoot
Well, many people skip out on this part, but the Royals love having an engagement photoshoot. And, during this photoshoot, Harry was asked when and how he realized Meghan was "the one" for him; the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
Harry's response was perfect, "the very first time we met." Clearly, Harry felt something the very first time he saw Meghan. And, this hunch proved to be true for these two. They ended up being together and, as days went by, their love was just becoming stronger.
Harry & Meghan's Wedding Day
Harry and Meghan tied the knot on May 19, 2018. The wedding took place at Windsor Castle. Hundreds of guests witnessed the wedding from the inside, and thousands of fans were standing outside the castle.
The wedding was broadcasted across the entire world and tens of millions of people tuned in to witness this memorable moment. And, out of all the events that happened in 2018, this Royal wedding was the most popular and most-watched. Well, no wonder… In a short period of time, Harry and Meghan became not just the UK, but also the world's favorite couple.
Meghan's Royal Wedding Dress
Meghan's wedding dress was simply stunning. It was designed by Givenchy. Meghan also wore valuable royal accessories including a platinum and diamond tiara from the Queen's personal collection.
Unfortunately, Meghan's father didn't want to attend the wedding because Meghan and Harry's relationship caused too much drama. That is why Prince Charles stepped in to walk Meghan down the aisle. Meghan was disappointed by her father's decision but was lucky enough to have such a kind father-in-law who stepped in to help.
The Royal Story Comes to an End
And, that's it! For now… Meghan and Harry's relationship was full of ups and downs. However, the last important announcement they made was on October 15, 2018. The Royal couple revealed that they were expecting their first child.
A few months later, an adorable baby boy named Archie was born. And, he looks just like his father with his mom doting all over him. We have no doubts that Harry is also a loving and protective father, especially when it comes to the press.
Princess Diana
When he was just a young boy, Harry lost his mother. Princess Diana was killed in a car crash. Everyone blamed the paparazzi who were chasing after her for this incident. Princess Diana was not only loved by her family but also by her entire country. She was known as the Princess of the People, and she spent most of her time running philanthropic and charity causes.
Everyone assumes that Diana's death is the reason Harry did everything in his power to protect Meghan from the press. And, we do not doubt that he will keep his children away from them as well.
Lady Kitty Spencer
Diana loved her two adorable boys, William and Harry. However, she was also very close to her niece, Lady Kitty Spencer. Perhaps Lady Kitty acted as the daughter Diana never had. We do not doubt that she would have loved spending time with her daughters-in-law too, especially Meghan.
Now, Lady Kitty Spencer is all grown up and she remained very close to her favorite cousins, Harry and William. She also frequently spends the holidays with the Royal family, meaning that she probably likes hanging out with Meghan (and Kate) as well.