The British royal and the American actress open up to Middle Eastern-raised journalist Mishal Husain in their first joint interview.
How long did it take Prince Harry to realise that Meghan Markle was the one?
He knew as soon as they met, the British royal revealed in a tell-all interview on Monday, just hours after his engagement to the American actress was announced.
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The fifth-in-line to the British throne and the Suits star sat down with BBC journalist Mishal Husain for their first joint interview, where the happy couple told previously unheard stories about their relationship.
Prince Harry—formally known as Prince Henry of Wales—confessed he fell for Markle following a blind date 18 months ago, and convinced the actress to join him camping in Botswana just one month later.
“I fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly… All the stars were aligned—everything was just perfect,” said the royal.
“It was this beautiful woman just sort of literally tripped and fell into my life – I fell into her life.”
Prince Harry handpicked Today programme host Husain, who grew up in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, for the interview, according to the Daily Mail.
The couple also opened up about their engagement, which took place at Prince Harry’s home (Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace) earlier this month.
Describing it as a cosy night in as they roasted a chicken, the 33-year-old British royal got down on one knee in “an amazing surprise”, Markle said.
“It was so sweet and natural and very romantic,” added the actress.
The 36-year-old star, who was born in the US, showed off her engagement ring at a photo call in The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace.
The ring is set in yellow gold as that’s Markle’s “favourite”, Prince Harry revealed, with the royal designing the three-stone piece himself.
The central diamond was sourced from Botswana, “which is important to us” added Markle, while the two outside stones come from Princess Diana’s jewellery collection.
Prince Harry wanted to make sure his late mother was “with us on this on this crazy journey together”, though added “it is days like today when when I really miss having her around and miss being able to share the happy news”.
Quizzed by Husain on what his mother would have thought of Markle, the royal stated they’d have been “thick as thieves, without question”.
“I think [Princess Diana] would be over the moon, jumping up and down, you know so excited for me but… probably been best friends, best friends with Meghan.”
The couple, who revealed they never went more than two weeks without seeing each other during their long-distance relationship, will now reside in London.
Markle has already met HRH Queen Elizabeth II, describing her as “an incredible woman”, and sister-in-law-to-be the Duchess of Cambridge, who the actress revealed had been “wonderful”.
The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle. pic.twitter.com/zdaHR4mcY6
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) November 27, 2017
Prince Harry and Markle plan to wed in spring 2018, a statement from Clarence House confirmed, though an exact date has not yet been revealed.
It’s expected, however, that the wedding will take place after the birth of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge’s third child in April.
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After their nuptials, Markle—who quit working for US drama Suits last month—is expected to take the title the Duchess of Sussex.
On their future together, Prince Harry added: “We’re a fantastic team, we know we are, and we hope to over time try and have as much impact for all the things we care about as much as possible.”
The British royal family have spoken out about their joy over the engagement, with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh revealing they were “delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness” in a statement.
“We are very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together,” Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, added in a separate statement.
Mabrook to the happy couple!
Images: Getty, BBC/YouTube
