Meghan Markle prepares for a very special anniversary with Prince Harry

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s love story began eight years ago as of tomorrow, the Fourth of July.

With America’s Independence Day just a day away, royal fans are reminded of the beginnings of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s relationship. In his 2023 memoir Spare, Harry recalled their first meeting all the way back in the summer of ‘16. He recalled scrolling on social media when he came across a silly video made by the Suits actress and a mutual friend, Violet.

In his own words, Harry had “never seen anyone so beautiful.” So, he did what any prince charming would do and asked Violet to play royal matchmaker.

Harry, now 40, met Meghan, now 43, for the first time while she was in London one summer eve, and then again, the following day — July 4. And it was instant fireworks.

In his contentious memoir, Harry writes, “She walked in, wearing a pretty blue sundress with white pinstripes. She was aglow. I stood and said: I bear gifts. A pink box.”

Inside, Meghan found cupcakes decked out for Independence Day, prompting laughter — and a kiss — over an almost untouched dinner of burgers.

“Again the conversation flowed, crackled,” Harry continues. “I felt an overwhelming sense of Overture, Prelude, Kettle Drums, Act I.”

The couple got engaged one year later. They now live in California where they are raising their two kids, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.

Harry has returned to the U.K. only a handful of times since stepping down from royal duties in 2020 — Megahn, even less. 

Their kids have never met their grandfather, King Charles, nor their uncle, Prince William, or cousins George, Charlotte, and Louis.

However, the Sussexes appear to have built a happy little life in their Montecito home. The mom-of-two has been sharing glimpses into the family on social media, especially this year. 

From Disneyland birthday parties to hilarious maternity ward throwbacks, their love story had a happy, albeit bittersweet, ending. But what good fairytale love story doesn't?