Odd things about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship

Meghan Markle was Google's most searched actress of 2016, and while we'd love to attribute that to her stellar performance on the hit show Suits, it's more likely the world was just very curious about Prince Harry's then-girlfriend. 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, obviously, still going strong (Hello, they just got married!). However, just because you're married to a prince, it doesn't mean that you're necessarily guaranteed a happily ever after. Here are some strange things you probably didn't know about one of the world's former most eligible bachelors and his leading lady.

She was reportedly dating someone else when she met Harry


It might have been love at first sight for the couple, but it may have all started with a pair of wandering eyes.

According to The Telegraph, when the redheaded royal and Markle first met in May 2016, she was dating Canadian chef Cory Vitiello. Markle and her celebrity chef beau split the same month, and it was around that time that she began her near-monthly transcontinental flights to London. When asked whether Harry played a part in the couple's breakup, a source close to Vitiello said, "I can't comment on that." Ouch. 

To be fair, though: few can compete with a prince, especially Prince Harry.

They got engaged really, really fast



While there's no scientific proof that waiting longer to get married is better than racing down the aisle, the fact that Harry and Markle got engaged after dating for only about a year and a half is certain to raise eyebrows among skeptics. 

Harry's romantic timeline is far different that that of his big brother, Prince William, and his now-wife Kate Middleton, who had years of breakups and reconciliations under their belts before they finally tied the knot in 2011.

Of course, we're totally happy to see two people totally happy, and yet, part of us thinks we'd feel more comfortable if their engagement happened in 2018 rather

They want privacy, but also court the press



In the first year-or-so of their relationship, Harry and Markle were adamant about wanting privacy from the press and the public. One needn't look further than Harry's dramatic plea for privacy from the press in November 2016; or Markle's Vanity Fair profile in which she claimed that "this is our time" and "this is for us."

Since then, they've doing photo calls at Kensington Palace and given joint interviews on prime-time television. Granted, part of that is simply tradition–William and Kate did the same thing back in the day. Still, if Harry and Markle suddenly complain about wanting privacy after their wedding, we're going to roll our eyes.

She quit her day job for him


One of the biggest signs that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were headed for a royal wedding came in November 2017, when Deadline reported that Markle was eyeing an exit from Suits after seven seasons.

At first glance, the news sounded like that time your wanderlust BFF met a guy in Spain and claimed she was running away with him forever. However, earlier reports seem to indicate that Markle has been eyeing an exit from her day job for quite some time. Sources for E! News revealed in March 2017 that Markle was "ready to be done with Suits...[and with] acting in general. Even before Harry, she was starting to think about transitioning out of acting. She wants to focus on other worldly endeavors she is passionate about, like her philanthropy." 
The way they confirmed their relationship was really awkward


A lot of couples officially announce their relationship with a sweet snap on Instagram or a new Facebook status, but when you're a prince, apparently a simple social media post won't suffice. 

In November 2016, amid harsh coverage of Markle from the press, Prince Harry released a statement via his communications director that 1.) confirmed his relationship; and 2.) told the press to back off. "Prince Harry is worried about Ms Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her," the statement read. "It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm. He knows commentators will say this is 'the price she has to pay' and that 'this is all part of the game.' He strongly disagrees. This is not a game—it is her life and his."

The statement was a highly unusual moment for a member of the Royal Family, proving just how unconventional this relationship was shaping out to be (by Buckingham Palace standards, anyway).
She loved hinting about their romance


Even though the press was initially kept in the dark about Markle and Harry's relationship, all one really had to do was look at Markle's Instagram page for some helpful clues. For much of the summer and fall of 2016, the actress posted countless updates from her trips to London, at one point even posting snaps at Kensington and Buckingham Palace.

Incidentally, on Oct. 31, 2016, the exact day that news broke about their relationship, the actress took to Instagram to post a photo of two bananas spooning. "Sleep tight," the caption read, sending royal enthusiasts into a tizzy about its possible meaning.

Markle didn't flaunt the relationship just on social media. In December 2016, she was spotted at a flower shop in Toronto with a necklace with the letters "M" and "H." For being one-half of a seemingly private couple, Markle appeared very eager to share bits and pieces of her relationship with her prince.

Honestly, we can't blame her.

She launched a clothing line right after the news broke


If you thought the banana Instagram post was convenient timing, try this one on for size:

In early November 2016, Markle released her clothing line for Canadian department store Reitmans, just days after the press reported on her royal romance. The actress, who was also a Reitmans brand ambassador, designed two collections for the retailer, both of which sold out quickly. Who wouldn't want clothes designed by a potential princess?

Despite the success of her line, the partnership was short-lived. According to the Daily Mail, Markle abruptly ended her relationship with Reitmans in April 2017, even though she reportedly was offered a lot of money to renew her contract. Apparently, she even went so far as to have her team reach out and tell the Canadian retailer to stop associating her with the brand. 

If you were hoping to snag a lingering piece of clothing from the line, you're too late. In early March 2017, the company's website posted a banner that said Markle's collection was no longer available. This is just one of many aspects of her life that Markle shied away from as her romance with Harry heated up.

She shut down her website

We've heard of putting your social media accounts on private or blocking the haters, but Markle took her privacy to another level. The actress shut down her lifestyle blog, The Tig, in April 2017, after nearly three years. In a letter that she penned for the website on April 7, 2017, she thanked her fans and "Tig friends" for their support over the years. Although some were quick to point out that this seemed like yet another thing that Markle was giving up to be with Harry, a source for People said the website had been a "full-time job" and Markle was more interested in focusing on Suits and her humanitarian work.

In spite of what sources said, from her clothing line to her career to her website, it certainly seemed like Markle was slowly but surely realigning her public persona to make way for a life with the royals.

She mysteriously scored an invite to Pippa Middleton's wedding


Pippa Middleton's original wedding rules included a "no bling, no bring" policy. In other words: guests shouldn't bring anyone to her big day who isn't sporting a wedding or engagement ring. 

And yet, somehow, some way, Markle wound up getting an invite to the big day–at least to the reception, anyway. Some might call that a fair compromise to a ridiculous rule; others, especially those who have planned a wedding, might call that downright annoying, especially considering that, as of April 2017, Markle hasn't even been on the guest list.

Markle's sister has accused her of being a social climber



Samantha Markle, Meghan's half-sister, has slammed the actress in the tabloids, calling her a "social climber" with a "soft spot for gingers." The mother of three supposedly hasn't spoken to Meghan since 2008, but claims "Hollywood has changed her." According to Samantha, "I think her ambition is to become a princess." 

Clearly, Samantha believes that her sister is saying and doing all the right things to snag Harry, which could possibly explain Megan's recent decisions to cut things out of her life that were once very important to her. Of course, Samantha's claims also sound a bit, you know, untrue. Still, what better way to climb the social ladder than by dating a prince?


Everything we know about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding

It's official! Clarence House announced on Nov. 27, 2017, that Prince Harry is engaged to be married to actress Meghan Markle, his girlfriend of just over one year.

Naturally, given the hype and coverage of the last major royal wedding, everyone is dying to know what Harry and Markle's ceremony might look like. Here's what we know so far.
The rumors proved true

Although rumors of an engagement have persisted since basically the moment Harry and Markle got together, Clarence House confirmed that the happy couple actually got engaged in November 2017. 

The exact date of the engagement was not revealed. But, um, who cares?! Because we just found out when they'll actually be tying the knot! 

Well, almost, anyway ...
The wedding will be happening very soon


If Harry and Markle haven't started planning their wedding, they might want to get a jump on it. That's because, according to Buckingham Palace (via People), they'll be typing the knot in May 2018 at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. "Windsor is a very special place for Prince Harry, and he and Miss Markle have regularly spent time there during the last year," a spokesperson for Kensington Palace said, according to People. "They are delighted that the beautiful grounds of Windsor Castle will be where they begin their lives as a married couple."

Sure, May 2018 is not an exact date; however, it's certainly a lot more specific than the original statement from Clarence House, which simply stated that they would be marrying in Spring 2018.

Meanwhile, the news also cleared up speculation over whether Markle would actually be able to be married in the Church of England, as she is a divorcée. That used to be a big no-no in the Royal Family, as anyone who has seen the Netflix series The Crown will tell you. However, in recent years, the family has taken a decidedly more relaxed position on the matter. Westminster Abbey confirmed as much to Express in May 2017, telling the paper, "The Abbey follows the General Synod Ruling of 2002. Since then it has been possible for divorced people to be married in the Church of England."
Markle will be baptized


In addition to Markle's former marriage, many wondered whether religion would pose a problem for her and Harry's nuptials. (It's unclear what specifically her religion is, although various reports — like this one from CNN — have claimed she went to a Catholic high school.)

Well, whatever the case, the Royal Family has found a solution: according to Kensington Palace (via People), Markle will be baptized into the Church of England before their May 2018 ceremony.

How reverse-Charlotte York of her.


Her ring has a connection to Princess Diana



According to People, Markle's massive engagement ring includes a center stone from Botswana, where the couple vacationed in August 2017. The article adds that the ring, which Harry designed, also features two outside diamonds from his late mother Princess Diana's collection.

The report came just after Harry and Markle made their first public appearance together after news of their engagement, in the Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace. Per People, Harry revealed that the couple was "thrilled" to be engaged and that he knew she was the one he wanted to marry from "the very first time we met."
Prince Harry got all the proper permission to marry




As one would expect from a dashing young prince, Clarence House confirmed that Harry "sought and received the blessing of" Markle's parents to ask for their daughter's hand in marriage.

As for Harry's family, the statement said that Harry had simply "informed Her Majesty The Queen and other close members of his family" of the happy news. Which is a curious choice of wording, considering that, per the Succession to the Crown Act of 2013, Harry is required to seek permission from the Queen to marry, as he is one of the first six in line to the throne.

Whatever the case, the Royal Family appears to be nothing but happy for Harry's big news. "The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness," a statement read on the family's official Twitter.
They'll be living in London


And now for news that will make every British tabloid happy: in its statement, Clarence House said Prince Harry and Markle will live in Nottingham Cottage inside Kensington Palace, which is where Harry currently resides.

Sound familiar? Well, per the Daily Mail, Nottingham Cottage was actually Prince William and Middleton's first home as husband and wife.

It's unclear if the Queen will attend

Now that Harry and Markle are officially engaged, people are beginning to wonder if the Queen–who is the head of the Church of England–will actually attend the ceremony because of Markle's divorcée status.

One can look at history for possible clues. The Queen famously chose not to attend her son Charles' 2005 ceremony, opting to host a reception instead, according to the BBC.

And yet, given all of the changes the Royal Family has made toward marriage in recent years, one wouldn't necessarily be surprised if the Queen shows up, especially when you consider how happy she sounded in her official statement.

What will their titles be?

Another question on everybody's lips: what, if any, royal titles will Harry and Markle receive after they tie the knot? Though it's unclear if Harry will be granted a royal dukedom, sources for People claim he'll most likely be made the Duke of Sussex. As for Markle? That would make her the Duchess of Sussex.

Well, that's definitely better than "that actress from Suits."

She's going to become a UK citizen


According to Kensington Palace (via People), marrying Prince Harry means that Markle will begin the process of becoming a citizen of the United Kingdom after the two tie the knot.

Per the announcement, Markle will maintain her United States citizenship as she applies to become a citizen of the U.K. After that? The Palace says it is "too soon to say" whether she will maintain dual citizenship.

Fascinating, to say the least.