Inside Harry and Meghan's relationship as they celebrate six-year anniversary

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot six years ago today, with, Harry marrying his American bride Meghan after going public with their engagement just months before.

The couple tied the knot at St George's Chapel in Windsor, surrounded by loved ones as the world watched and marvelled at the televised event.

Here, we take a look at the couple's relationship, from welcoming their first child, stepping down as senior royals, relocating to America, having another baby, and embarking on various exciting ventures.

July 2016: The pair met through mutual friends

The Prince and Suits star first met online through a mutual friend.

Later, Harry reveals in the first episode of Harry & Meghan that a Snapchat snap of their friend and Meghan using the dog filter piqued his interest and prompted him to ask who Meghan was.

"Meghan and I met over Instagram. I was scrolling through my feed and someone who was a friend had a video of the two of them, like a Snapchat," Harry explains. "With dog ears. That was the first thing. I was like, 'Who is that?'"

After the pair exchanged some DM's, the pair went out on a blind date in London and Harry turned up late.

"You were late." Meghan points out to Harry, adding: "And I didn't know him. So I was like, 'Oh, is this what he does?'"

The date eventually led to sparks, and despite their long-distance circumstances, they scheduled to see each other every few weeks.

August 2016: The pair embark on an African trip

Following their first date, the pair visited Botswana and their romantic connection blossomed.

Harry recalled during a BBC interview : "It was three, maybe four, weeks later that I managed to persuade her to come join me in Botswana, and we camped out with each other, under the stars."

Adding: "She came and joined me for five days out there, which was absolutely fantastic. Then we were really by ourselves, which was crucial to me to make sure that we had a chance to get to know each other."

The following year, the pair returned to Botswana to celebrate their first anniversary and months later, Harry proposed with an engagement ring featuring an African stone, as well as two smaller diamonds from one of Princess Diana's brooches.

November 2016: Harry and Meghan's relationship is Kensington confirmed

Following a string of rumours which began in October, Kensington Palace confirmed the pair were a couple on social media.

In a reprimanding address, the palace implores the public to stop their ongoing harassment of Harry and "his girlfriend, Meghan Markle."

"Prince Harry is worried about Ms Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her," the note reads. "It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms Markle should be subjected to such a storm."

The following month, Harry and Meghan were snapped together for the first time, followed by another outing in London around Christmas time.

May 2017: Harry and Meghan make their first public appearance

The now Duke and Duchess of Sussex are snapped sharing a kiss during a polo event in Ascot, attending their first public event together.

September 2017: Meghan speaks about her relationship publically

Meghan first publically discusses her relationship with the Prince, telling Vanity Fair: "We're in love, I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people will understand is that this is our time.

"This is for us. It's part of what makes it so special, that it's just ours. But we're happy.

"Personally, I love a great love story."

September 2017: Meghan Markle meets Queen Elizabeth

The pair make a sweet appearance in Toronto for the Invictus Games and are joined by Doria Ragland.

Later in the month, Us Weekly reports that Meghan has been introduced to Harry's grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.

November 2017: Harry and Meghan announce engagement

Kensington Palace announces that the pair have gotten engaged following about a year of dating.

Meghan's parents, Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland, express their congratulations in a public statement shared by the palace on Twitter.

"We are incredibly happy for Meghan and Harry," they write in the statement. "Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person. To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for us as parents. We wish them a lifetime of happiness and are very excited for their future together."

May 2018: Harry and Meghan tie the knot

Harry and Meghan tie the knot at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in a star-studded ceremony that becomes the most-watched royal wedding in the world.

On this day, Meghan is officially granted her royal title at the occasion: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

July 2018: Prince Harry, Prince William, Kate and Meghan make first appearance

In their first major royal event as royal newlyweds, the Sussexes get together with William and Kate to honour the Centenary of the RAF at Buckingham Palace, where they observe a flypast for the occasion.

May 2019: Archie Mountbatten-Windsor is born

Meghan and Harry welcome their first child together, Prince Archie of Sussex.

In his first television interview fresh off the birth, Harry exclaims: "I'm so incredibly proud of my wife. As every father and parent would ever say, your baby is absolutely amazing. But this little thing is absolutely to die for. So I'm just over the moon."

January 2020: They announce their royal exit

Following months of attacks on Meghan from the tabloid media and rumours swirling surrounding the Sussexes' rising tensions with the rest of the royal family—the duke and duchess finally announce in an official joint statement shared to their Instagram page that they have decided to step down as senior members of the royal family.

"After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution," their message reads. "We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen."

They continued: "It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.

"This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity."

June 2021: The pair welcome second child

Meghan and Harry welcome their second child, Princess Lilibet of Sussex, at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California.

Their newborn daughter's name "Lilibet Diana," takes after the pet name of great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth and honours her paternal grandmother, the late Princess Diana.

December 2022: Harry & Meghan premiers on Netflix

The pair released their Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, which gives viewers a glimpse into their relationship in its beginning stages, their life and struggles in the royal family, and their current lifestyle now.

January 2023: Harry releases memoir Spare

In his tell-all memoir, Spare, the prince reveals various shocking truths - including the way he lost his virginity, the day he re-created his mother's last moments, and the brutal physical fight he had with his brother, Prince William.

He also writes a lot about his wife, reflecting on her relationship with Will and Princess Kate, detailing their life together in England, recalling Meghan's mental health battle, and speaking of the moment they knew they had to step away from the royal family.

May 2024: The pair enjoy a visit to Nigeria

Ahead of the 2024 Invictus Games, Meghan and Harry arrive in Nigeria, meeting with locals to discuss sports, mental health programmes and leadership initiatives.

“Every single person in this room—the youngest, the oldest, every single person—has mental health,” the prince says. “And the more you talk about it, the more you can kick stigma away—far, far away into long grass—and then everybody will have the opportunity to be able to share how they’re feeling, how they’re coping, and then you can help other people.”

As Harry hands over the mic, Meghan says, “You see why I’m married to him?” There are cheers and a whoop. “It so inspiring, because he speaks the truth,” she adds.

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