Meghan Markle’s Ups and Downs with the Royal Family: A Timeline

It was a rocky road Meghan Markle and the British royal family since they fell in love prince harry and the couple’s departure in 2020.

The Suits alum began dating the prince in the summer of 2016. While she was gushing over Harry Vanity Fair during her September 2017 cover story, the couple talked about their relationship — and preparing Meghan for royal life — for the first time during their engagement interview in November 2017.

“I think I can safely say, as naive as it sounds now, having gone through this learning curve over the last year and a half, I had no idea what it would be like,” Meghan said at the time.

Harry replied, “I tried to warn you as much as possible.” … I think you can have as many conversations as you want, try to prepare as much as possible, but we were completely unprepared for what happened next.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex married in May 2018. Despite the alleged tension between the brothers over how quickly Harry and Meghan’s relationship has movedthe pair bonded prince william and princess kate and the four started a charity together. In June 2019, reports surfaced that the group effort had already ended and the two couples had split their charities.

In October 2019 Harry and Meghan spoke to ITV Tom Bradby and implied that they were unhappy. Harry also confirmed reports that he and William had a rift.

“I’ve been saying H for a long time, so I say to (Harry), ‘It’s not enough to just survive something. That is not the meaning of life. You have to thrive. You have to feel happy,” Meghan said during the special, admitting she was “not okay.”

She continued: “I really tried to get that British sense of ‘stiff upper lip’. I really tried, but I think what it’s doing internally is probably really harmful.”

Less than six months later, Harry and Meghan have announced their plans to step back from their senior royal duties in January 2020. The couple subsequently moved, first to Canada and then to Los Angeles. They eventually put down roots in Montecito, California.

One day after queendeath in September 2022, King Charles III shared his “love” for Harry and Meghan in his first speech as the new monarch.

“I want to … express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas,” he said at the address.

Check out the complete timeline of the highs and lows: