Overview: Who Are Meghan Markle and Harry?
Meghan Markle and Harry are a married couple who became globally visible through their roles as senior working members of the British Royal Family. Meghan is an American former actress; Harry is a British prince, younger son of Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales. Their relationship evolved from private acquaintances to a high-profile partnership, culminating in marriage in 2018 and the birth of two children. This explainer describes their documented milestones, roles, and current standing with neutral, sourced context.
How Meghan Markle and Harry First Met
Meghan Markle and Harry were introduced by mutual friends in July 2016. Multiple reputable sources report they met on a blind date arranged by a common acquaintance in London. Early coverage described them attending private gatherings together in London and Toronto, where Harry was completing his military service and Meghan was filming Suits. Initial interactions remained low-key, with Kensington Palace later confirming they were already in a relationship by the time of the 2016 Invictus Games, which Harry attended while Meghan appeared publicly as his guest.
Key Relationship Milestones
Courtship and Public Appearances
From mid-2016 to 2017, the couple was photographed at multiple events, including Trooping the Colour and private dinners. In late 2016, Kensington Palace issued a rare statement confirming their relationship and noting Meghan’s first joint appearance with Harry at a formal dinner. In 2017, they attended the Queen’s Birthday Trooping the Colour together, marking a more official integration into royal duties. TV appearances, magazine profiles, and public walkabouts became more frequent as their courtship progressed.
Engagement and Wedding Planning
Harry proposed to Meghan in November 2017 at their private residence in Kensington Palace. The engagement was announced on 27 November 2017. The wedding was planned for Spring 2018 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, with extensive preparations for security, protocol, and media management handled by senior royal communications staff. The date was set for 19 May 2018 to coincide with Windsor Castle’s spring event calendar, allowing key family and staff to participate.
Children Milestones
Meghan and Harry’s first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, was born on 6 May 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital in London. Their second child, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, was born on 4 June 2021 in Santa Barbara, California. Both births were announced via formal statements from Kensington Palace, with names, dates, and hospital details verified through palace communications and official records.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting | Introduced by mutual friends in July 2016 | Royal spokesperson statements, reputable biographical sources |
| Engagement | November 2017; proposed at Nottingham Cottage | Kensington Palace announcement |
| Wedding | \n19 May 2018 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor | Official wedding programme and palace records |
| First child (Archie) | 6 May 2019, St. Mary’s Hospital, London | Kensington Palace birth announcement |
| Second child (Lilibet) | 4 June 2021, Santa Barbara, California | Kensington Palace birth announcement |
| Formal titles | Duke and Duchess of Sussex | Letters Patent issued April 2018 |
Relationship Timeline at a Glance
- July 2016: Meeting and first public appearances as a couple.
- Late 2016: Confirmation of relationship by Kensington Palace.
- 2017: High-profile joint events; Harry’s military commitments; Meghan’s continued filming.
- November 2017: Engagement announced; planning for spring 2018 wedding begins.
- 19 May 2018: Wedding at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
- 6 May 2019: Birth of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
- 4 June 2021: Birth of Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
- 2020–2023: Transition to life outside senior royal duties; relocation to North America; continued public engagements and media projects.
Titles and Official Status
Following their marriage, Meghan and Harry were granted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex by Letters Patent issued in April 2018. Harry retained his princely title; Meghan became a British duchess but did not hold a personal peerage. After stepping back from senior royal duties in early 2020 (the ‘Megxit’ period), they remain members of the Royal Family but no longer carry out official duties on behalf of the Queen. Harry’s security funding and royal household arrangements were renegotiated, and the couple stepped back from using ‘Royal Highness’ in practice, though their titles remain intact according to Buckingham Palace.
Public Roles and Charitable Work
As senior royals, Meghan and Harry supported hundreds of charities and initiatives. Harry focused on veterans’ charities, notably Invictus Games, conservation, and tackling youth insecurity; Meghan championed gender equality, literacy, and racial justice through Archewell and prior patronages. Since stepping back, they have continued select initiatives via Archewell Foundation and through commercial projects. Official royal websites, charity filings, and public statements provide verifiable records of their ongoing commitments.
Common Questions and Clarifications
Are Meghan Markle and Harry still married?
Yes. Public records, official statements, and their continued use of shared titles confirm they remain married as of the latest available information.
Do they still have royal roles?
They no longer carry out official royal duties. Since stepping back from senior roles, they operate independently, funding activities through personal earnings and commercial ventures while remaining part of the extended Royal Family.
Where do they live?
They have divided their time between the United Kingdom and North America, including residences in Montecito, California, and the UK. Exact private addresses are not disclosed for security reasons.