From a blind date with a simple question—"Is he nice?"—to the revelations of their extraordinary lives in a groundbreaking Netflix documentary, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship has traversed six years, witnessed the joy of two children, and navigated the complexities of a royal exit.
The much-discussed Netflix documentary, "Harry & Meghan," has sparked controversy with its revealing soundbites and emotional moments. The initial three episodes, released on Thursday, offer a glimpse into the intricacies of their journey, with the remaining episodes slated for release on December 15.
The genesis of Harry and Meghan's love story defied royal conventions. Introduced through a mutual friend on a blind date in 2016, the British royal and the American actress embarked on an evening with no preconceived notions about each other. Meghan's sole pre-date question encapsulated her criteria for a connection—"Is he nice?"
Recalling their initial encounter, Meghan shared with the BBC in 2017, "And so we went and met for a drink, and then I think very quickly into that we said, 'Well, what are we doing tomorrow?'" Subsequently, two more "back-to-back" dates unfolded in London, and within weeks, Meghan joined Prince Harry in Botswana for a transformative camping experience beneath the stars.
Prince Harry expressed the rapid evolution of their connection, stating, "It was fantastic, it was absolutely amazing to get to know her as quickly as I did."
The first public acknowledgment of their relationship surfaced on October 31, 2016, in The Sunday Express, portraying Harry, then 32, as "besotted" with the 35-year-old Meghan. However, the joyous revelation led to a storm of media attention, marked by racist and sexist commentary.
The tabloid The Sun, in particular, published a misleading cover story, falsely connecting Meghan to explicit content on Pornhub. The ensuing media frenzy prompted an unprecedented public statement from the royal family, denouncing the harassment and abuse directed at Meghan. The statement revealed the behind-the-scenes struggles, from legal battles to invasive paparazzi, endured by the couple.
Expressing deep concern for Meghan's safety, the Palace stated, "It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm." Prince Harry, expressing disappointment at his inability to shield Meghan, challenged the notion that such intrusion was an accepted part of royal life.
As the Netflix documentary unfolds, it promises to delve deeper into the intricacies of their relationship, shedding light on the personal experiences that culminated in their unprecedented decision to step back from the royal family.
