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Prince Harry's 'Marriage Material' Ex Chelsy Davy Felt the Focus on Their Relationship Was 'Scary'

Karabo Baloyi
Apr 28, 2022
02:00 P.M.

Prince Harry has been happily married for years now. But before this, his love life was constantly in focus. Here's how his longest previous relationship with Chelsy Davy went.

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Harry first met Chelsy in 2004 in Botswana during a gap year after completing his studies. Davy, the daughter of a Zimbabwean billionaire, captured Harry within days of the meeting.

He poured his heart out to fellow travelers in Botswana. Chelsy studied in England, and after their holiday in Botswana, Chelsy moved to Leeds to complete a postgraduate qualification.

Chelsy and Davy and Prince Harry walking after he received his flying badges at the Museum of Army Flying. | Source: Getty Images

Chelsy and Davy and Prince Harry walking after he received his flying badges at the Museum of Army Flying. | Source: Getty Images

HARRY INTRODUCES CHELSY TO HIS FAMILY

Harry soon introduced Chelsy to his family, and Harry's grandfather, Prince Charles, welcomed her. Royal biographer Robert Lacey said, "When Charles kisses Chelsy on the cheek, he's publicly accepting his son's girlfriend."

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When he fell in love with Chelsy, he was able to be openly affectionate with her.

Around the same time, Prince William and Kate Middleton were dating, and the pressure was on the future king to marry.

Harry photographed kissing Chelsy. | Source: Getty Images

Harry photographed kissing Chelsy. | Source: Getty Images

William and Kate were more restrained publicly, but Harry and Chelsy were more expressive with each other. "He's madly in love," William said.

Writer Judy Wade said about Chelsy," [She] loves partying, the outdoors, and she cares about Harry, exactly the right sort of girl for him."

Chelsy and Harry shared a deep bond. One royal aide added that Harry felt emotionally vulnerable after his mother's death.

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Chelsy and Harry walking together after he received his flying badges. | Source: Getty Images

Chelsy and Harry walking together after he received his flying badges. | Source: Getty Images

He felt the "second son" syndrome following William as he grew up. Harry's relationship with his father, Prince Charles, was strained at times.

So when he fell in love with Chelsy, he was able to be openly affectionate with her. "She is definitely marriage material, and Harry doesn't want to lose her," one of Harry's friends said.

They added: ''It irks him that some think they won't last the course. He thinks Chelsy may well be the one who will make a much better Windsor wife than Kate Middleton.''

Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy. | Source: Getty Images

Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy. | Source: Getty Images

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AN ON-AGAIN-OFF-AGAIN RELATIONSHIP

Despite their deep bond, Harry and Chelsy's relationship was on and off over a few years. Since splitting up, they kept in touch but briefly dated again for two months.

Rumors emerged of the both of them briefly dating other people while they were apart. In 2007, Chelsy was upset that Harry chose to attend the rugby world cup final in Paris in October instead of celebrating her birthday with her.

Chelsy also found it difficult to manage a life in the spotlight which was unavoidable when dating a royal.

Prince Harry with his ex-girlfriend, Chelsy Davy. | Source: Getty Images

Prince Harry with his ex-girlfriend, Chelsy Davy. | Source: Getty Images

Later the pair broke up after Harry insisted Chelsy miss a charity ball to spend time with him. The charity's operations manager, Ronald Ndoro, said, "She dropped me a note saying she was sorry, but she had to go away. It was a surprise."

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Harry had just completed a helicopter training course and insisted that Chelsy make time for him. Chelsy later left England to pursue a legal career in South Africa.

Chelsy also found it difficult to manage life in the spotlight, which was unavoidable when dating a royal. A source told "The Telegraph," "He has never fallen out of love with Chelsy."

Chelsy Davy attends the Brilliant is Beautiful Gala in London, England. | Getty Images

Chelsy Davy attends the Brilliant is Beautiful Gala in London, England. | Getty Images

They also added that the pair spent time together even after breaking up. "She's not like other girls; she's strong, independent, and a rule-breaker. She does everything on her own terms," they added.

Before William and Kate's wedding, Chelsy and Harry were spotted together. Chelsy climbed into the boot of a car to avoid them being photographed together after leaving a club.

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"Hi, it's Chelsy here. You're the best looking ginger I've ever seen . . . You big hairy fat ginger.”

Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy attend the Cartier International Polo Match at Guards Polo Club, Smith's Lawn on July 30, 2006 in Egham, England.

Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy attend the Cartier International Polo Match at Guards Polo Club, Smith's Lawn on July 30, 2006 in Egham, England.

She was invited to the wedding, but they were not together again by the time it rolled around. Chelsy finally decided that Kate's extravagant royal wedding and subsequent life were not for her.

In his book, "Battle of the Brothers," Robert said: "According to a friend, she told Harry that she could never make the sacrifices she had witnessed Kate making, particularly when it came to molding her life around the unremitting attention of the press."

CHELSY DIDN'T WANT MEDIA SCRUTINY

The couple's numerous breakups also created an unhealthy relationship between them. During a phone-hacking trial, it was revealed that Harry used to drunk dial Chelsy.

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Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy attend the Investec Challenge match between England and South Africa at Twickenham on November 22, 2008 in London, England.  | Source: Getty Images

Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy attend the Investec Challenge match between England and South Africa at Twickenham on November 22, 2008 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Royal reporter Clive Goodman wrote an email that partly read, "She gets calls from him, and he's completely not in a good condition. Harry would even "shout affections to [Davy] down the phone."

But there was a fun part of the trial. A leaked phone call between William and Harry revealed that William pranked his brother by putting on a feminine voice. William said:

"Hi, it's Chelsy here. You're the best looking ginger I've ever seen . . . You big hairy fat ginger.”

rince William (R) and Prince Harry and guest Chelsy Davy watch the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium on July 1, 2007 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

rince William (R) and Prince Harry and guest Chelsy Davy watch the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium on July 1, 2007 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

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After their final break-up, Chelsy spoke up about some of her discomfort in the relationship. She said:

“It was so full-on: crazy and scary and uncomfortable. I found it very difficult when it was bad. I couldn’t cope. I was young, I was trying to be a normal kid and it was horrible."

Harry also spoke about how difficult it was for Chelsy to deal with the media's scrutiny. "I can see how upset she gets . . . my girlfriend is somebody who's very special to me, and yes, she's gone through some very hard times," he said.

Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy look on during the ICC Cricket World Cup Super Eights match between England and Bangladesh at the Kensington Oval on April 11, 2007 in Bridgetown, Barbados.  | Source: Getty Images

Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy look on during the ICC Cricket World Cup Super Eights match between England and Bangladesh at the Kensington Oval on April 11, 2007 in Bridgetown, Barbados. | Source: Getty Images

Harry's protective nature over his partners has never wavered. Even after the end of their relationship, the pair remained friendly with each other.

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