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20 Intriguing Facts about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry: A Modern Royal Romance

As a hopeless royal-watcher from Los Angeles much like Ms. Markle herself, I was overjoyed to wake up before dawn to live-stream the beautiful 2018 royal wedding. Little did I expect that I’d become utterly engrossed for years to come by the evolving love story between Prince Harry, England’s beloved red-headed charmer eternally unwilling to conform to expectations, and Meghan, a biracial American actress possessing both elegance and a passion for changing the world. From their clandestine courtship cleverly shielded from invasive tabloids to Meghan calmly advocating for women’s empowerment on the global stage with a billion eyes scrutinizing her every move, this unexpected couple has riveted me.

I’ve pored over each detail – from their stunning engagement in Kensington to their shocking renunciation of royal titles as they returned from senior royal duties. Through late nights spent obsessively reading, I’ve uncovered little-known intriguing facts about Harry and Meghan’s fairy tale romance turned around to pave their path anchored in social activism. Join me on this adventure across the pond as we dive deeper for insights into a partnership modernizing the monarchy while revealing timeless lessons about fighting for enduring love against all odds.

These are twenty intriguing facts about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry:

1. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Were Set up on a Blind Date by Friends

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were set up on a blind date in London in July 2016 after a mutual friend suggested the pair might make a good match. Meghan, who was a star on the TV show Suits, was already aware of Harry, but Harry knew only a little about Meghan, having never met her or seen her show. According to Harry, neither Meghan nor Harry had much detail about each other before meeting. However, they immediately hit it off; they later remarked that they knew from their very first meal together that they wanted a second date

2. Prince Harry turned up late on their Pair鈥檚 First Date

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were set up on their first blind date in July 2016, the evening did not initially go as smoothly as one might expect. Harry arrived late to their rendezvous at Dean Street Townhouse in London. Years later in their engagement interview, Meghan cheekily recalled how she wondered if his tardiness was “a bit of a brat” move, unaware of his royal status or background. Any negative first impression vanished quickly, as evidenced by the fact they stayed talking until very late that evening. And Harry made up for lost time by arriving promptly to escort his blushing bride to the altar nearly two years later.

3. Harry Spotted Meghan on His Friend鈥檚 Instagram

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Long before his 2018 royal wedding to Meghan Markle captured global attention, Prince Harry first noticed his future duchess on a friend’s Instagram account back in early 2016. Intrigued by the beautiful American actress smiling up at him through his phone screen, Harry asked his friend Violet von Westenholz to make an introduction. Violet knew Meghan through her publicist work and recognized the potential match. She arranged for Harry and Meghan to meet in London that summer without knowing the profound impact that initial blind date would have. The rest, as they say, is history – anchoring the power of social media to spark an iconic royal romance.

4. One of their First Dates Included an Overseas Trip to Botswana

Only a few weeks after their first date, Prince Harry invited Meghan on a trip to Botswana. Harry had a deep affection for Botswana, having visited frequently since his youth, finding peace and joy there after the tragic death of his mother. Wanting to share this special place with Meghan early on, Harry arranged for the couple to camp out under the stars for five days. They used this precious alone time in isolation from the rest of the world to truly connect and begin falling in love, without outside distractions or pressures. It was a bonding experience that confirmed their budding relationship.

5. Meghan鈥檚 Royal Wedding did not Have any of her relatives except her Mother

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When Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in May 2018, the only relative in attendance from her family was her mother, Doria Ragland. Meghan’s father, from whom she is estranged, did not attend due to health issues. Extended family members from Meghan鈥檚 side were also notably absent. In contrast, Harry had many family members present, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William. Meghan later said having only her mother with her on the big day was difficult. The situation highlighted Meghan鈥檚 fractured bonds with her biological relatives, while also underscoring her tight relationship with her mother amid trying family dynamics.

6. A Royal Relative Unknowingly Wore an Offensive Blackamoor Brooch

Amidst Prince Harry and Meghan Markle鈥檚 royal wedding, controversy erupted when Princess Michael of Kent wore a blackamoor brooch, considered racially offensive. The jewelry depicted an antiquated image of a black figure, which many deemed insensitive in light of Meghan鈥檚 mixed-race heritage. Princess Michael apologized through a spokesperson, claiming no ill intent as she vowed to never wear it again. The incident added strain between the couple and certain royal relatives early on, while also sparking larger conversations about racism within the monarchy. It highlighted lingering prejudices and reinforced why greater diversity within the royal circle was needed.

7. The Royal Couple Wore matching Bracelets in public and on their Wedding Day

From early on in their relationship, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could often be seen wearing matching beaded bracelets on their wrists, his black and hers blue. These were reportedly gifts they had purchased while on vacation in Africa together in the first year of dating. The bracelets held symbolic meaning, representing their commitment to each other and the adventures they shared as a couple in Africa. On their wedding day in 2018, eagle-eyed viewers spotted both Harry and Meghan still wearing their cherished matching bracelets under their formal attire, a private sign of their enduring bond beneath the public spectacle.

8. Meghan was Lucky Enough to Meet the Queen of England

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A key milestone in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle鈥檚 courtship came in October 2017, when Harry arranged for Meghan to meet his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Meeting the monarch is considered a significant step for royal romantic partners before an engagement. Harry brought Meghan to Buckingham Palace following the announcement of their relationship, with Meghan becoming one of the first unmarried partners to be granted such access to the Queen. By all accounts, Her Majesty and Meghan got on well during the introduction over tea. The warm welcome from the beloved matriarch of the royal family indicated Meghan had been fully embraced by the Windsors.

9. Meghan Markle is Supposedly not the First Biracial Royal

When Meghan Markle married into the British royal family in 2018, and much was made of her biracial heritage, being half black and half white. However, the royal circle is no stranger to interracial marriage. Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III who reigned in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, is suggested by historians to have had African lineage. If true, this would mean Britain鈥檚 first mixed-race royal ancestor preceded Meghan by over two hundred years. While Meghan undeniably faced racism, the possibility of Queen Charlotte鈥檚 diverse background provides historical context that the British throne has not always been exclusively white. Meghan follows in the footsteps of other boundary-breaking royal relatives from the past.

10. Meghan鈥檚 First Husband is Creating a Show Based on Her Current Relationship

Meghan Markle’s ex-husband, producer Trevor Engelson, is creating a fictional comedy series about a woman who divorces her husband and eventually marries a British prince. The premise bears a striking resemblance to Meghan’s life story – she divorced Engelson in 2013 after two years of marriage and then became engaged to Prince Harry in 2017. While Engelson claims the show is not meant to portray Meghan personally, the subject matter has sparked controversy as some see it as an opportunistic attempt to profit from her royal romance. As Meghan prepares to join the royal family, the show could revive tensions with her ex and raise further questions about trading on one’s celebrity status.

11. Did You Know that Meghan is not Her Real First Name?

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Many people don鈥檛 know this but when Meghan Markle first caught Prince Harry’s eye, she went by the name Meghan, a moniker familiar to her legions of acting fans. However, that name is honored on royal decrees and souvenir mugs around the world since becoming the Duchess of Sussex is not her given first name. Rather, Meghan was born Rachel Meghan Markle in August 1981. As a child actor, she went by the more unique middle name Meghan professionally. Even those closest to her, including her parents, have called her by the nickname “Meg” or “Megs” her whole life. While the world knows her as Meghan, the royal is still 鈥淢eg鈥� to family, close friends from her pre-Duchess days, and presumably, her doting husband Harry.

12. Harry is not his Real First Name

When Prince Harry swept Meghan Markle off her feet, he did so as the charming and fun-loving 鈥淗arry鈥濃�攁 name now legendary through their fairytale romance. However, that casual moniker belies the prince鈥檚 more proper given name: Henry Charles Albert David. He was born to Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles as Henry in 1984, to honor the long lineage of noble 鈥淗enry鈥� predecessors before him. But mimicking older brother William鈥檚 childhood nickname, his parents and Grandmother Queen Elizabeth began calling him the more approachable Harry from his first days. Though officially Prince Henry on royal letterhead, the playful nickname endures as a nod to his grounded spirit鈥攅ndearing him to a hopeful bride as Harry.

13. Meghan is a Trained and Experienced Calligrapher

Years before becoming the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle pursued a less regal skill – calligraphy. While working odd jobs as a struggling actress, Meghan took professional handwriting classes to augment her income. She mastered italic script and bookbinding before leveraging her talents to do custom invitations for celebrity clients like Robin Thicke and Paula Patton. When planning her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018, Meghan put her calligraphy expertise to use hand-addressing the invitations. While her acting days are behind her, Meghan鈥檚 artistic hand continues to leave its royal mark through this cherished hobby turned side hustle.

14. At Twelve Years, Meghan took Issue with the Sexist Advertisement

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Long before becoming a voice for women’s empowerment on the global stage, Meghan Markle demonstrated feminist principles from a young age. When Meghan was only twelve years old, she saw a dish soap commercial implying women belong in the kitchen. Feeling this portrayed a sexist and outdated gender stereotype, Meghan took action by writing letters of complaint to the manufacturer, then First Lady Hillary Clinton, and prominent women鈥檚 rights attorney Gloria Allred. The earnest efforts of young Meghan sparked change, as the company consequently altered the controversial ad. She exemplified the integrity and conviction that would define her future humanitarian pursuits.

15. Meghan has an Unquenchable Love for Dogs Throughout her Life

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Meghan Markle鈥檚 love for dogs has been a constant theme throughout her life. Her very first pet as a child was a dog named Rusty. Later in life, she adopted two rescue dogs 鈥� Guy and Bogart 鈥� who lived with her in Toronto while filming Suits. Though Bogart was too elderly to travel overseas with Meghan initially, her other rescue pooch Guy did make the big move to the UK to live with her and Harry. An outspoken advocate for animal welfare groups in both Canada and London, Meghan鈥檚 passion for pups hasn鈥檛 wavered since those early days with Rusty by her side.

16. Harry Flew a Military Apache Helicopter in the Enemy Territory, Afghanistan

Before settling down with Meghan Markle, Prince Harry led a distinguished ten-year military career, which included secret service in Afghanistan. As Captain Wales of the British Army, Harry completed two tours piloting attack helicopters with the 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps. He flew Apache choppers providing tactical support to allied forces, sometimes coming under enemy fire. After the second deployment was made public in 2008 contrary to media blackout agreements, Harry was swiftly extracted for security reasons. The experience made him the first royal to serve in a war zone since his uncle Prince Andrew in the Falklands War. It earned Harry tremendous respect from fellow soldiers and officers alike.

17. They Tried to Stay away from the Public Eye for as Long as They Could

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After hitting it off immediately on their first date in July 2016, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recognized keeping their budding relationship low-profile for as long as possible was paramount. Well-acquainted with life in the spotlight, they wanted time and space to nurture their private connection away from prying eyes. For about six months, the pair secretly met across continents, with Meghan traveling incognito between Toronto and London when her filming schedule allowed. Aside from strict confidants, most friends and even senior Palace staff were kept unaware. When their romance finally did make headlines in October 2016, Harry confirmed the news with public regret, acknowledging those precious private months were over

18. Despite having a Two-Week-Rule, they Communicated Over the Phone 

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle began dating in 2016, Meghan was based in Toronto while Harry lived primarily in London. Wanting to stay connected despite the long distance, they instituted Meghan’s “two-week rule” – never letting more than two weeks pass without a visit. Yet during their eighteen-month courtship, most communication occurred over regular phone calls and texts. Even after public engagements, the pair would spend hours continuing conversations well into the night. Their late-night Voice Notes and marathon FaceTime sessions allowed them to build intimacy and trust across the miles. Relying on mobile technology to nurture love paved the way for a strong foundation.

19. Harry Boasts of having Found Diana, Princess of Wales in Meghan Markle

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Having lost his mother Princess Diana as a boy, Prince Harry understandably held her memory close when assessing romantic prospects. In Meghan Markle, he found someone exhibiting numerous similarities in spirit to the compassionate, fun-loving Diana he cherished. Like his mother, Meghan possessed a warmth, confidence, and natural charm that drew people to her. She shared Diana’s passion for helping those less fortunate. And Meghan encouraged Harry’s cheekier side with a playfulness reminiscent of his mum. Seeing echoes of the parents taken from him too soon, Harry felt reassured by Meghan’s kind heart. Discovering a special human connection missing since Diana’s death facilitated their love.

20. They Had a Striking Similarity Bonding over Divorced Parents

A poignant common thread propelling Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s early friendship into romantic territory was the similar childhood trauma of their parents divorcing. Harry’s parents Prince Charles and Princess Diana had a bitter public split in 1996, while Meghan’s parents parted ways in 1983. Having both experienced the painful dissolution of their families at vulnerable ages, Harry and Meghan shared a unique bond over this emotional life event. They found solace through long talks supporting each other while processing those challenging memories. Their mutual understanding of that suffering connected them deeply. In the end, the broken homes they knew as children helped mend the hopeful home they would build together.

As I finish chronicling the pivotal moments of Harry and Meghan鈥檚 defiance of tradition to protect their private love, I feel hope for my search to find a partner as devoted as these compassionate change-makers. By courageously redefining roles on their terms, this contemporary couple gives all romantics permission to fight for an extraordinary yet balanced love.