Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s relationship: how it unfolded

THE story of a lonely royal falling in love with a gorgeous American actress has captivated the world. This is how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s fairytale unfolded.

THEIR journey from blind date to royal wedding has been followed in minute detail by the world’s press, with the public captivated by their love story — lonely prince meets gorgeous American gal.

A female friend — it hasn’t been confirmed who — is thought to have given Prince Harry Meghan Markle’s number. They met at an exclusive London members-only club in secret and, almost instantly, fell in love.

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As the couple prepare to walk down the aisle tomorrow in what will be the most watched wedding in history, we revisit how their fairytale unfolded.

MEGHAN AND HARRY RELATIONSHIP TIMELINE

2016

JULY — Harry and Meghan first meet on a blind date in London set up by a friend. It was one of Lond’s swankiest members-only clubs, 5 Hetford Street in Mayfair.

OCTOBER — Rumours surface Harry is “secretly” dating the Canada-based Suits star

NOVEMBER — Harry confirms the relationship and asks the public to stop harassing his girlfriend in an extraordinary Kensington Palace press release confirming their status as a couple.

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle attend a Wheelchair Tennis match during the Invictus Games in September 2017 in Toronto. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation

DECEMBER — First pictures emerge of Meghan and Harry when they go to the theatre in London

2017

FEBRUARY — Paparazzi snap winning shots of Harry and Meghan leaving the exclusive members’ club Soho House in London.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attending the UK Team Trials for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 at the University of Bath Sports Training Village earlier this year. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

MARCH — The pair travel to Jamaica for the wedding of Harry’s best friend Tom ‘Skippy’ Inskip, pictured holding hands and hugging.

MAY — Meghan attends the reception of Harry’s sister-in-law Pippa Middleton after her wedding to James Matthews. She did not attend the ceremony so she wouldn’t upstage the bride.

Prince Harry in an Audi driving Meghan to the wedding reception of Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews. Picture: News Group Newspapers Ltd.

AUGUST — Harry is rumoured to have asked Markle to marry him while on holiday together in Botswana to celebrate her 36th birthday

SEPTEMBER — Meghan tells Vanity Fair they are a couple and in love. The couple appear together at the Invictus Games in Toronto

Meghan Markle poses for Vanity Fair's October 2017 cover shoot. Picture: Peter Lindbergh for Vanity Fair

OCTOBER — Meghan meets the Queen over afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace with Harry and gives her approval.

NOVEMBER — In extraordinary news, Meghan and Harry announce their engagement. Harry proposed at their home at Kensington Palace while they were cooking roast chicken for dinner.

Prince Harry and his fiance US actress Meghan Markle posing for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement. Picture: AFP/Daniel Leal-Olivas

DECEMBER — Kensington Palace announces the wedding will be held on May 19, at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.