The Sweet Thing Harry Brought Meghan on Second Date Tells You Everything About Their Love Story
Prince Harry’s playful, patriotic token on his second date with Meghan Markle in London showed his true intentions long before the proposal.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship faced immediate long-distance challenges, despite an instant chemistry sparked by the Duke's direct messages on Instagram and solidified after their first date in London. While love blossomed quickly between the two, it was only their second date when the Prince realized he wanted to marry her ― a whirlwind timeline he later detailed in his 2023 tell-all memoir, Spare. The Duke remembered being mesmerized by Markle's outfit, writing, “She walked in, wearing a pretty blue sundress with white pinstripes...She was aglow." He then revealed the sweet gift that he had brought to impress his future wife: cupcakes.
In his book, he recalled how the red, white, and blue treats commemorated the 4th of July, playfully noting the differing British and American perspectives on the holiday. The Duke later disclosed that the date culminated in a kiss, marking a turning point where they decided to give their relationship "a proper go." Reflecting on this turning point, he noted that amidst their endless conversation and untouched burgers, he knew that the former Duchess was the one for him.
"And yet also a sense of ending. A phase of my life—the first half?—was coming to a close," he wrote. As the date drew to a close, Prince Harry recounted their open discussion about managing a long-distance relationship, noting that the Duchess anxiously asked, "What’re we gonna doooo?"
After two dates in London, the couple had a significant third date in Botswana, where they spent a week camping together. “For me, it was critical to share it with Meg,” he recalled in his book, emphasizing their desire to bond privately before going public. While the two officially announced their engagement on November 27, 2017, Harry had actually proposed weeks earlier during a cozy night at Nottingham Cottage on November 4.
Prince Harry described the proposal during their engagement interview with BBC News as casual and intimate. Recalling the night, they humourously remembered trying to roast a chicken when the Duke dropped to one knee. The Duchess recalled eagerly interrupting him to say yes before they exchanged a hug, prompting Harry to remind her about the actual ring. "She didn’t even let me finish. She said, ‘Can I say yes? Can I say yes?" Harry said during the sit-down.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex wed on 19th May 2018 at St. George's Chapel, marking their 8th wedding anniversary today. Since stepping down as working royals in 2020, the couple has relocated to California, where they reside with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
