Prince Harry and Meghan Markle surprised many when they began their relationship in 2016, just two years before their marriage. Their public debut as a couple was at the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada in 2017, following months of swirling romance rumors. After a few dates, Meghan joined Harry on an extended trip to Botswana, where their bond deepened.
Before introducing Meghan to the world, Prince Harry first introduced her to his inner circle, including his family and senior members of the Firm. In his memoir Spare, Harry shared how he initially introduced Meghan to his friends, leading to a successful meeting. Subsequently, he decided it was time for Meghan to meet his father, King Charles, as well as his brother William and sister-in-law Kate.
Prior to Meghan meeting the royal family in person, Harry disclosed their relationship to William and Kate during a private family dinner in London. Harry expressed in his autobiography that William had a sense something was happening and wanted more details. After ensuring Prince George and Princess Charlotte were asleep, Harry shared the news, with Kate and William agreeing to keep it confidential.
During the disclosure, Harry mentioned Meghan was an American actress, known for her role on the TV show Suits, surprising William and Kate. The royal couple initially found the news unbelievable but later revealed they were fans of Suits, recognizing Meghan instantly.
In his book, Harry recalls the nerve-wracking first meeting between Meghan and his brother. He described the humorous and charming collision of cultures when Meghan hugged William, who was taken aback as he was not accustomed to such gestures.
Meghan also discussed the meeting in the 2022 Netflix docuseries titled Harry & Meghan, highlighting the cultural differences she noticed, particularly regarding formality and greetings. She reflected on the initial awkwardness of her hugging nature contrasting with British customs.
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