Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Blessed with Two Children: Archie and Lilibet
Prince Harry embarked on a secretive holiday a year before proposing to Meghan Markle, according to royal biographers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand in their book "Finding Freedom."
The couple first met in London in June 2016 and quickly developed strong feelings for each other. Even before Harry proposed, he had been planning an engagement ring since May 2017, obtaining a "conflict-free" diamond during a secret mission in Africa with the help of a close friend.
“Unbeknownst to most, [Harry] already had an engagement ring in the works," the authors claim. "That May, Harry traveled alone to Botswana in his role as patron of Rhino Conservation Botswana. While in Africa, he did a little secret diamond scouting with a close friend who helped him source the perfect conflict-free stone.”
The couple publicly announced their engagement in November 2017, revealing that Harry had popped the question “earlier this month” while “roasting a chicken” during a “cozy night in.” However, the book suggests that they were “secretly engaged” much earlier.
According to the authors, Harry proposed in August 2017 during a romantic holiday in Botswana, where they celebrated Meghan's 36th birthday and their first year as a couple. Meghan reportedly hinted at their engagement during their first official outing together at the Invictus Games, where she wore a £137 blouse by her fashion designer friend Misha Nonoo dubbed the 'Husband' shirt.
After their official engagement announcement, Meghan described it as “an amazing surprise,” adding, "It was so sweet and natural and very romantic. He got on one knee.” In an interview with the BBC's Mishal Husain at Kensington Palace, Harry shared, “She didn't even let me finish, she said, 'Can I say yes, can I say yes' and then there were hugs and I had the ring in my finger and I was like, 'Can I, can I give you the ring?' She goes, 'Oh yes the ring'.”
Harry added, “So no, it was - it was a really nice moment, it was just the two of us and I think I managed to catch her by surprise as well.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are now blessed with two children, Archie and Lilibet.
