Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
freestocks r oV6smBBYk unsplash?width=719&height=464&fit=crop&auto=webp
freestocks r oV6smBBYk unsplash?width=398&height=256&fit=crop&auto=webp
/ Unsplash
Culture > Entertainment

Everything You Need to Know About Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s Engagement

Abbey Williams

Sound the royal wedding bells because Prince Harry is off the market. The royal redhead is engaged to his girlfriend of nearly a year-and-a-half, Suits actress Meghan Markle, Clarence House announced Monday. Here’s everything you need to know.

When the engagement happened

Prince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle earlier this month and received her parents’ blessing beforehand. The couple hasn’t shared many details about the proposal, but Harry told the press it was “very” romantic. 

When they’re getting married

The pair plan to wed in Spring 2018, according to a statement released by Clarence House. The statement also confirmed that Harry and Meghan will live in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace.

The ring

According to a report by ABC News, Markle’s ring was custom designed by Harry, featuring three stones with significance to the couple. The large middle stone is from Botswana, which is a place the couple holds dear, and the two stones on each side are from Princess Diana’s collection. The gold band of the ring is from Cleave and Company, which is the queen’s jeweler. 

The photocall

Following news of their engagement, Harry and Meghan made a photocall appearance at Kensington Palace in the Sunken Gardens Monday morning. The couple wore wide smiles as they walked together, holding hands. Harry told the press he knew Meghan was the one “the first time we met.”

How their families feel about the engagement

Of course they’re excited. A series of tweets from Kensington Palace and The Royal Family reveal Markle’s parents, William and Kate, and the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are all very happy for Harry and Meghan.

A refresher on their relationship

Quite a lot has happened since Meghan and Harry’s relationship began in July 2016. They met through friends, and their relationship became public in October 2016. Kensington Palace confirmed the coupling in November 2016 when Harry released a statement defending his new girlfriend. The comments and press attention became overwhelming for the couple and Markle’s family, which is why Harry took matters into his own hands and requested privacy. In December 2016, they were spotted holding hands in London, marking their first appearance as a confirmed couple.

Trips to a number of countries—from Jamaica to Africa—occurred over the next several months, showing how serious their relationship was. In September 2017, Markle appeared on the October cover of Vanity Fair and told the magazine of her and Harry, “We’re in love.” In the same month, the couple attended the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada, where they held hands and packed on the PDA.

Since then, they’ve been off the map…until today, when Clarence House confirmed that Harry has sealed the deal.

Congratulations to the happy couple! I cannot wait for this royal wedding. 

Abbey Williams

U Wyoming '19

Abbey is a senior at the University of Wyoming and is currently majoring in Journalism. She couldn't imagine a world without Jesus, coffee, The 1975, Twitter or her family. You'll usually find her at a concert or cafe somewhere, which is where she spends majority of her free-time. Talking to band members after their shows is a hobby, along with thrifting & indulging in all aspects of pop culture. After college, she plans to spend more time at concerts, getting paid to write about music and bands.