Transatlantic love grew under Botswana night sky
IT STARTED with a blind date. They fell in love under the stars in Botswana. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who announced their engagement on Monday, have told how they fell in love in a secret romance.
With a ring incorporating diamonds belonging to his mother, the 33-year-old prince spoke emotionally of how Diana, Princess of Wales, would always be part of his “crazy journey” and would be “thick as thieves” with his new fiancée.
“The fact that I fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly was confirmation to me that all the stars have aligned and everything was just perfect,” said Harry in a 20minute interview following their engagement announcement.
“This beautiful woman just tripped and fell into my life.
“We’re a fantastic team, we know we are and over time we hope to have as much impact as possible.” date – they carved out five days for a camping trip to Botswana.
“We camped out with each other under the stars,” Harry said.
“She came and joined me for five days out there, which was absolutely fantastic. We were really by ourselves, which was crucial to me to make sure we really got to know each other.”
After that, and in between the Suits filming schedule, the couple flew back and forth between London and Toronto every two weeks, unnoticed by the public for months.
“We never went longer than two weeks without seeing each other, even though we were obviously doing a long-distance relationship. So we made it work.”
They spent time with “cosy nights in front of the television, cooking dinner in our little cottage”, said Harry.
“It’s made us a hell of a lot closer in a short space of time, really getting to know each other without people looking or trying to take photos on their phones.” very romantic. He got on one knee.”
Had she said yes immediately? She tells Harry: “In fact, I could barely let you finish proposing, I said, ‘can I say yes now?’”
Markle, who has two dogs but has only brought one to the UK, even won over the toughest critics in the family: the corgis, who sat happily on her feet during tea.
Disclosing she had met the Queen several times, she said it had been “incredible” to get to know her through her grandson’s eyes. “Not just with his honour and respect for her as the monarch, but the love he has for her as his grandmother. She’s an incredible woman.”
Chipping in, Harry told her: “And the corgis took to you straight away.
“I’ve spent the last 33 years being barked at; this one walks in, absolutely nothing. Just wagging tails and I was just like ‘argh’.”
The news of their engagement came after days of frenzied speculation. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh said they were “delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness”, adding the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were “thrilled” and “very happy indeed”.
Markle’s parents, Doria and Thomas are “incredibly happy”.
“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”.