How Did Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Meet? The Royal Couple Has Been Married for 4 Years

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had the grandest wedding ceremony in 2018, with the biggest Hollywood stars and diplomats in attendance. This year, they are marking their fourth anniversary as a married couple.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex tied the knot on May 19, 2018, at St. George Chapel in Windsor Castle, England. Viewed by 29 million people around the globe, the beautiful wedding cost an estimated $45 million.

In their four years together, the royal couple has shown an unbreakable bond. Their solid relationship has been evident since they began dating six years ago. Here’s a refresher of how the couple met.

HOW WAS HARRY AND MEGHAN'S FIRST DATE

Harry and Meghan met on a blind date in July 2016. A mutual friend of the couple, according to the Duke, introduced him to the former "Suits" actress." Of meeting her future husband at that time, Meghan said:

"I didn’t know much about him, so the only thing that I had asked [our mutual friend] when she said that she wanted to set us up was, 'Well, is he nice?' Cause if he wasn't kind, it just didn’t seem like it would make sense."

The pair hit it off quickly, and their love blossomed. Meghan admitted she had no idea about Harry's worldwide fame. Growing up in the United States, she had not grasped enough about the Royal Family.

THEIR RELATIONSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

After months of quietly dating Meghan, Harry officially confirmed his relationship with the American actress on November 8, 2016, following a surge of scrutiny into their private lives.

According to an official statement, the "abuse and harassment" toward Meghan worried the prince, especially the racist and sexist commentaries on social media and in newspapers.

Harry and Meghan grew closer together amid the criticisms plaguing their relationship. They even spent the holidays together at that time and were spotted picking out a 6-foot Christmas tree in London.

THE ENGAGEMENT AND WEDDING

In November 2017, Harry proposed to Meghan at Kensington Palace's Nottingham Cottage. They then appeared for a photocall at the palace's Sunken Garden, where she showed off her engagement ring.

Feeling over the moon, Meghan revealed how she felt when the prince proposed to her. The then-gushing bride-to-be described the life-changing moment as "sweet and natural."

On May 19, 2018, the couple exchanged vows at the St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in England, attended by 600 guests. An excited crowd gathered in the streets to celebrate the newly-wed couple.

WHO ARE MEGHAN MARKLE AND PRINCE HARRY'S CHILDREN

Since tying the knot, the royal couple has had their hands full now, especially as proud parents of two adorable children, Archie Harrison, 3, and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.

While both are publicly known as new members of the royal family, Archie and 11-month-old Lilibet had a different start to their upbringing.

Born in London, England, on May 16, 2018, Archie lived in Frogmore Cottage on Queen Elizabeth II's Windsor Estate. At that time, Megan and Harry were senior members of the royal family.

Meanwhile, the couple welcomed Lilibet in Santa Barbara, California on June 4, 2021. The little girl had a simpler public appearance following her birth, opposite her older brother, who had a far grander royal treatment upon his birth.

Unlike Lilibet, Archie already met the queen and his late grandfather, Prince Philip. Although Lilibet has yet to meet the royal queen, her family is looking forward to their reunion with other Royal Family members in the future.