6 Rules Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Have Set for Each Other in Their Marriage

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been together for almost a decade, and their relationship has seen them go through many changes, from their early days of dating to marriage, parenthood, to leaving everything to build a new life in California and now back to the UK. While the couple has gone through several ups and downs over the years, a few rules are apparently the secret to how they make their marriage work. Some of their rules go back to when they were dating, while others reflect the life they have built together as parents to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Harry and Markle first started dating in 2016, and at the time, they spent most of their relationship making long-distance work. In their Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, the Duke revealed that they followed a two-week rule during their early days together. They made sure to see each other at least once every two weeks, despite their busy schedules and the distance between them. “We had to invest the time and the energy and whatever it took to make that happen,” he said in a 2017 interview with The Standard.

While it's been a decade since the couple started dating, they reportedly still have the days-apart rule, and now it has come down to 10 days. Harry, in his new MasterClass, Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss, revealed that he does not spend more than 10 days away from Markle and their children. “The key to finding the joy and happiness balance is no more than 10 days away from my wife and kids," he said. The Duke continued, “The biggest factor for me is the energy and the joy and happiness that I get being with my family, especially our kids.”

For Harry and Meghan, being there for each other is not just about making big gestures or planning special occasions. Markle has spoken about how they make time for one another even when their workdays are busy. During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show in March 2025, the Duchess revealed that they have lunch together every day and talk about what has been happening in their lives before returning to work. “We make it a point — at least, I don't know, during the week, our days are busy with meetings — but we have lunch together every day and have that middle-of-the-day catch-up,” she said. The Duchess also explained why small gestures matter in a relationship, adding, “You just show up for each other in the ways big and small.”

Markle has also shared that she and Harry want to keep the romance alive by treating each other as they did when they first started dating. During her appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, she explained that the idea came from advice she received while working as a nanny during her college years. One of the fathers she worked for told her that he had promised to always date his wife, and Markle later shared the same with Harry. To her delight, Harry responded, “I vow to always date you.” She continued, “We're so committed to treating each other the same way you did before you had a ring on it. We just make it a point to date each other."

Harry and Markle have also spoken about approaching their relationship as a team. During their 2017 engagement interview, they discussed the challenges they had faced while dating and how they managed to build a relationship despite the attention surrounding them. "We're a fantastic team. We know that, and we're confident in each other, and, you know, we've got each other's back. And it's hard, of course it's hard, but we've got each other's back," Harry shared, talking about their partnership during their engagement interview. Markle also spoke warmly of Harry during The Drew Barrymore Show, describing him as “a partner who is so supportive of me.” From media scrutiny to family rifts, the couple has made sure to always keep a united front.

Harry and Markle have repeatedly spoken about how much they value family life and being hands-on parents to Archie and Lilibet. In an interview with Us Weekly in 2025, Markle explained that she would record herself reading a bedtime story so Harry could play the video for their children when she was away. “I'll always pack a really thin book, and I'll videotape myself reading it so that Papa can say, ‘Here's Mama reading your bedtime story,’” she shared. Harry also added that being his kids brings him the most joy, and both he and Markle ensure they prioritize them above everything.