After months of speculation and over a year of dating, Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle announced their engagement with a wedding set for spring of 2018.
Their first interview as couple with BBC’s Mishal Husain was composed but peppered with candid moments.
The pair weren’t afraid to show their affection as they sat close to one another, held hands for the entire 20 minutes, and looked longingly at one another while they spoke.
Here are some of the sweetest moments that reveal why they’re perfect for one another, and as they put it, are “a fantastic team”:
On their simple and romantic proposal
Prince Harry, 33, popped the question a few weeks back while they were home in Nottingham Cottage, which he refers to as “our cottage” throughout the interview.
Markle, 36, described it as a “cozy night” when they were “trying to roast a chicken.”
“It was an amazing surprise and it was so sweet and natural and very romantic. He got on one knee,” she recounted.
Harry interjected, “Of course!”
“I could barely let you finish proposing. ‘Can I say yes now?’”
“There were hugs and then I said, ‘Can I give you the ring?’ And she said, ‘Oh yes the ring!’”
On their first date
The couple revealed that they met on a blind date and that neither knew about each other.
“I’d never heard of Meghan before and I was beautifully surprised when I walked into the room and saw her,” he said of first seeing the African-American beauty.
“I was like, ‘Okay well I’m really going to have to up my game and sit down and make sure I had a good chat.’”
Talking about wanting to change the world was what “got date two” the next day.
On getting to know each other away from the public eye
After their first date, they spent five days alone in Botswana and “camped out under the stars,” shared Harry.
“We had five to six months almost of just privacy,” said Markle, which helped make them sure about one another even if they’ve only been dating for a year and a half.
A long-distance relationship wasn’t easy, with Markle based in Toronto for the TV show “Suits” and Harry traveling around the world for various commitments.
“Very early on when we realized we were going to commit to each other, we knew that we were going to invest in the time and energy,” she added, enduring two different time zones to see one another.
“We never went longer than two weeks without seeing each other.”
To maintain their privacy, most dates were spent in his residence in Kensington Palace, with multiple teas with his family members.
On dealing with tabloids
“I tried to warn you as much as possible but I think both of us were totally surprised by the reaction after the first five, six months,” Harry admitted.
British media attacked Markle for her ethnicity, prompting the prince to issue a statement.
READ: Kensington Palace Slams Racist Trolls Attacking Meghan Markle
Markle said she opted not to read any of the press, positive or negative. “We focused our energies on nurturing our relationship.”
“On us,” said Harry.
She affirmed, “On us.”
On challenges of being part of the royal family
Harry admitted that he felt a huge responsibility bringing her into an entirely different world.
“I know I’m in love with this girl and I hoped that she’s in love with me and I had to have frank conversations,” he said.
“It’s a big deal and it’s not easy for anybody. But at the end of the day, she chooses me and I choose her… it will always be us together as a team.”
“That’s so nicely said, isn’t it?” Markle remarked.
“She’s capable of anything,” said Harry.
To which Markle replied, “Thank you.”
On getting to know each other’s family
“His family’s been so welcoming,” said Markle, who described Queen Elizabeth II as “an incredible woman.”
Another good sign came from the queen’s dogs. “And the corgis took to you straight away,” said Harry, who shared that they had been barking at him for his whole life.
“Her mom’s amazing,” he added.
On Princess Diana
The engagement ring was designed by Harry himself with a stone from Botswana and small diamonds from Princess Diana’s jewelry collection.
“Not being able to meet his mom, it’s so important to me to know that she’s a part of this with us,” said Markle of her ring.
Harry believes they would have been best friends. “They’d be thick as thieves, without question. I think she would be over the moon, jumping up and down, so excited for me.”
On being perfect for each other
“The fact that I fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly was sort of confirmation to me that everything, all the stars were aligned and everything was just perfect,” related Harry.
He also said that Markle was fit for the role as U.K. royalty, considering that apart from acting, she has also been active in humanitarian work and as a United Nations ambassador.
“The fact that I know that she’ll be really unbelievably good at the job was part of it as well,” he said.
“We’re a fantastic team, we know we are, and we’ll try to make as much impact with the things we care about as much as possible.”
When Mishal Husain called him Markle’s “husband,” Prince Harry appeared giddy and shivered in excitement.
“That sounds nice,” he whispered to Meghan who giggled and whispered the words back. JB
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