Meghan Markle Being Ghosted By Matt Cardle Is A Lesson To Us All That Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

So when did the future Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet? Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were introduced by a mutual friend in July 2016. Originally the friend was thought to be Markus Anderson (also the director of Soho house) but later confirmed to be Violet von Westenholz. Meghan said in an interview that before she met the Harry she didn't know much about him, and said the only thing she asked was 'well is he nice?'. According to Harry he knew Meghan was The One from 'the very first time we met.' After only two dates, he asked Meghan to accompany him on a trip to Botswana.

In October 2016 that the Express became the first newspaper to publish news that Prince Harry had a new girlfriend. Just a month later, Kensington Palace released a statement condemning the 'wave of abuse and harassment' faced by Meghan - much of which had racial undertones. The unprecedented statement referred to Meghan as Harry's girlfriend for the first time and emphasized that Prince Harry was 'worried about Ms. Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her.' It continued 'It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm.' Amid speculation that Prince William was unhappy with Harry for confirming the relationship too soon, the palace were also forced to address rumours stating ''The Duke of Cambridge absolutely understands the situation concerning privacy and supports the need for Prince Harry to support those closest to him.'

Early in December 2017 Google confirmed Meghan was the most searched actress of 2016. The couple were photographed in London together for the first time shopping for a Christmas tree at the Pines and Needles store and attending a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. By January 2017 a source told US weekly that Harry had introduced Meghan to Kate and Prince Charlotte and that the 'meeting went well'. Meanwhile a source told The Sun Meghan had 'virtually moved in' with Prince Harry to his cottage on the Kensington Palace estate.

By March things were openly getting more serious: Meghan accompanied Harry to Jamaica for a wedding for the first time (his friend's Tom 'Skippy' Inskip and Lara Hughes-Young). On April the 7th Meghan announced that she was closing down her lifestyle blog The Tig writing 'What began as a passion project (my little engine that could) evolved into an amazing community of inspiration, support, fun and frivolity. You've made my days brighter and filled this experience with so much joy.' In May, Meghan and Harry attended their first public event together at the Polo in Coworth Park (where they also engaged in some PDA). Later in May Prince Harry was seen driving Meghan to the reception of Pippa Middleton and James Matthew's wedding.

Welcome to Meghan the style Icon: at the opening of Prince Harry's Invictus Games in September Meghan wore a maroon midi dress with a pleated chiffon skirt by one of her favourite Canadian brands, Aritzia with a burgundy biker jacket by Mackage. The next day the couple were photographed sitting together at the wheelchair tennis and 'broke with royal protocol' by holding hands and kissing at the closing ceremony. On the 5th of September In an interview with Vanity Fair, Meghan stated: 'We're a couple. We're in love. I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people understand is that this is our time.'

Late 2017 we saw the end of everyone's favourite legal powerhouse Rachel Zane (sob). In November 2017, shortly after Meghan reportedly met the Queen, the actress was reported to be leaving her role in Suits after seven seasons.

After months of speculation that an engagement was imminent, Prince Charles announced the engagement of his younger son Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after 15 months of dating On November 27th 2017 . The engagement ring, said to be designed by Harry, is made of two stones that belonged to Princess Diana. The couple later appeared at a photocall, with Markle wearing a white dress coat by Canadian brand Line The Label (whose website subsequently crashed). When asked by waiting photographers if the proposal was romantic, Harry joked 'of course!' Speaking about his late mother, Princess Diana, Harry said 'I think they'd be thick as thieves. She would be over the moon, jumping up and down, so excited for me... It's days like today when I really miss having her around and miss being able to share the happy news. With the ring, I'm sure she's with us, jumping up and down somewhere else.' it was announced that the wedding would take place on May the 19th, 2018.

In December 2017 Meghan, Harry, Kate and William were photographed together attending the Christmas service at Sandringham. Pictures of the two couples earned them the title 'The Fab Four'. In the following month's Meghan earned a reputation for breaking royal protocol on official visits by hugging fans of the couple and kissing them on the cheek.

In February 2018, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle had their first royal engagement together for the Royal Foundation Forum with Prince Harry and Prince William. Harry stated of the two couples 'We have different opinions and they work really well [together]. Working as family does have its challenges; of course it does. The fact that everybody is laughing shows they know exactly what's it like… But we are stuck together for the rest of our lives.'

In the lead-up to the wedding it's confirmed 2,640 people will be invited to the grounds of Windsor Palace to watch the royal wedding. Photos of Meghan and Harry's wedding invitations are released, bearing Harry's legal name 'Henry'. Meghan and Harry make a number of public appearances together including to the Invictus game tryouts in April and attend the Queen's birthday at the Royal Albert Hall. Meghan's final episode of Suits is also airs, marking the official end of her acting career.

On May the 14th, three days before the wedding Meghan's father, Thomas Markle sr. who was confirmed to walk Meghan down the aisle pulled out, following an embarrassing incident in which he staged paparazzi photos. Thomas Markle later suffered a heart attack, and his son Thomas Markle Jr. penned an unflattering open letter to Harry criticizing Meghan and encouraging him to pull out of the wedding. The day before the wedding, Kensington Palace announced Prince Charles would walk Meghan down the aisle, stating 'The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way.'

Meghan and Harry wed on the 19th of May for a combined audience of 11.5 million people who tune in to watch the ceremony. Meghan's gown was made by Clare Waight Keller, artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy which she later changed for a silk crepe dress by Stella McCartney. Her mother Doria Ragland attended the ceremony along with a host of celebrities including Meghan's former Suits cast and her close friends, George and Amal Clooney.

Throughout May of 2018 Harry and Meghan made their first official appearances as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. For her inaugural attendance to the Trooping of the Colour Meghan reportedly broke royal protocol by wearing an off-the-shoulder dress. In the following months the newlyweds made a number of public appearances including to Ireland to meet the country's officials. They also reportedly take a trip to visit George and Amal Clooney in Lake Como.

During Princess Eugenie's wedding speculation begins that Meghan is pregnant owing to her loose coat. The rumours are confirmed when Kensington Palace announces on the 15th of October 2018 that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting a child. The announcement also coincides with the first day of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's official tour.

In October Meghan and Harry depart for their 16-day Autumn royal tour visiting Australia, Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand (obviously featuring some serious style moments from the newly-appointed Duchess of Sussex). By November, sources tell news outlets that the couple are preparing to move to Frogmore cottage in Windsor in 2019. The couple spend the anniversary of their engagement, November the 27th, apart due to Harry being in Zambia.

Meghan and Harry embark on life as newlyweds - but there's less plain sailing as controversy continues to follow closely on their heels. Meghan's family continues to be the subject of unflattering media headlines and Thomas Markle continues to talk to the media. Meanwhile Samantha Markle (Meghan's half sister, who also claims to be penning a book about the Duchess) shows up at Kensington palace, resulting in her name being put on a 'fixated person's' list. Rumours of a froideur between Meghan and Kate are sparked by reports that Meghan reduced Kate 'to tears' during challenging dress fittings with Princess Charlotte. In February, Thomas Markle leaks a handwritten letter from Meghan to the media in response to friends of the Duchess defending her in an interview. Following numerous staff changes, rumours arise that Meghan and Harry's staff refer to Meghan by the nickname 'The difficult Duchess'.

In March 2019 it's confirmed that the Sussex and Cambridge's 'royal households' will split, meaning the couples will no longer share staff. Royal spokesperson's confirm that Kate and William's staff team will stay in Kensington Palace while Meghan and Harry's staff will be based in Buckingham Palace, reflecting the location of their new residence of Frogmore cottage in Windsor. Representatives are quick to confirm this is a planned move, and not due to rumors of growing tensions between the couples.