Everything Prince Harry Said About First Date With Meghan Markle

On May 19, 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary and in that time there have been a series of royal highs and lows—from their dramatic split from the monarchy to joyous welcoming of their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Since their relationship became public in late 2016, both Harry and Meghan have spoken warmly of their romance, providing details of its origins in interviews and media projects.

The most detailed account of the couple’s first date was provided by the prince, most notably in his 2023 memoir, Spare.

From his running late to Meghan’s Cinderella exit, Harry recounted the event in all its fairytale romance for his audience to read for themselves.

Here, Newsweek looks back at how Prince Harry remembers his first date with Meghan Markle.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2022. Harry recounted the couple’s first date in his memoir, “Spare.” NETFLIX

Running a Bit Late

Traveling from the country to meet Meghan in London’s Soho for their date, Harry revealed that he had been caught in traffic and was left flustered, worried that she might decide to leave before he could arrive.

“I apologized. Profusely. I couldn’t imagine many people had been late for this woman,” he said of his arrival, going on to provide a glowing description of his “heart-attack beautiful” future wife.

Prince Harry in Spare

“At last I arrived. Red-cheeked, puffing, sweaty, half an hour late, I ran into the restaurant, into the quiet room, and found her at a small sitting area on a low velvet sofa in front of a low coffee table. She looked up, smiled”

Too Much to Say

Harry told readers that he found it hard to process that he was on a date with someone as beautiful as Meghan, but that this soon subsided and they had a meaningful discussion about their passions and interests.

“The initial awkwardness was gone, the warmth from our texting returned,” he wrote, going on to say that there was “too much to talk about” by the time their evening together ended.

Prince Harry in Spare

“We’d each had first dates on which there was nothing to talk about, and now we both felt that special thrill when there’s too much to talk about, when there isn’t enough time to say all that needs to be said.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Wedding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle photographed on their wedding day, May 19, 2018. The couple will celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary this year. BEN STANSALL – WPA POOL/GETTY IMAGES

Cinderella Moment

In the prince’s memory, as quickly as the date began it was soon over.

“I have dinner plans,” he said Meghan told him as she packed up her things.

“If I hadn’t been late, we’d have had more time. I cursed myself, got to my feet. A brief goodbye hug,” he said, going on to compare her exit to Cinderella.

Prince Harry in Spare

“Poof, she was gone. Compared to her, Cinderella was the queen of long goodbyes.”

Though the couple didn’t make plans to see each other again on the date, Harry said that later that night, they spoke on the phone and arranged to meet at the same spot the next evening. Meghan remembered later in an interview that that was where they decided they were going to make a go of things together.

Their relationship became public in late 2016, and their engagement was announced a year later on October 27, 2017.

The couple married in a large ceremony at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on May 19, 2018, which was attended by all senior members of the royal family and watched by millions around the world.

James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek‘s royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek‘s The Royals Facebook page.

Related Posts

Prince Harry’s secret visa files released – but key question remains over drug use

The conservative Heritage Foundation had campaigned to have Prince Harry’s Visa application released after he admitted to taking cocaine, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms A US judge has…

Zara McDermott shakes off Sam Thompson dig as she ‘moves fast’ with Louis Tomlinson

Zara McDermott was recently spotted on a date with Louis Tomlinson as pals have claimed the pair are ‘moving fast’ but are ‘happy’ for them – while…

Paddy McGuinness puts lavish £6.5m home on the market as Christine ‘desperate’ to move on

Christine McGuinness is said to be feeling ‘desperate’ to start a fresh as her estranged husband Paddy McGuinness has put their former marital home up for sale…

Victoria Beckham confirms part in Jennifer Aniston’s ex Justin Theroux’s wedding

Victoria Beckham confirmed she had a huge role in Jennifer Aniston’s ex-husband Justin Theroux’s wedding to Nicole Brydon Bloom Victoria Beckham confirms part in Jennifer Aniston’s ex…

Celebrity Big Brother star Bradley Riches joins Emmerdale in mysterious new role

Celebrity Big Brother star and Heartstopper actor Bradley Riches has joined the cast of Emmerdale in a mysterious new role, with the scenes set to debut in…

Coleen Nolan interrupts Loose Women co-star to take swipe at ex-husband

Loose Women took an awkward turn on Tuesday when Coleen Nolan made a savage Alfie Moon comment Loose Women: Coleen asks Charlene about her first child’s name…