In 2017, Prince Harry may have felt pressure to marry Meghan Markle quickly due to fears she was seen as “damaged goods” or a “C-list actress who was too old,” according to a source. Royal biographer Tina Brown also noted in her 2022 book The Palace Papers that Harry felt urgency because of Meghan’s age—she was 36 at the time—and their shared desire to start a family.
Brown explained, “He knew she was the one. And he also knew that she was 36, and he wanted children.” This drove the couple to move faster than typical royal timelines, leading to their engagement in 2017 and a wedding in May 2018.
Harry and Meghan’s relationship began in the summer of 2016 and quickly became a media sensation, similar to what other royals like Kate Middleton and Princess Diana faced. Harry was determined to protect Meghan from the harsh media attention that had strained his past relationships.
However, not everyone supported the couple’s quick progression. Prince William reportedly advised Harry to slow things down, warning him not to rush. Although William’s concerns were well-meaning, Harry took them as unwanted interference.
The couple’s whirlwind courtship wasn’t quite as fast as Prince Charles and Diana’s but still came close. Meghan’s background as an American actress was seen as a refreshing change for the monarchy, but her limited time to adjust to royal life created challenges.
After their wedding, Harry and Meghan fulfilled their wish of starting a family, welcoming two children: Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. However, their life in the spotlight has been far from smooth. The couple’s decision to leave the royal family and pursue opportunities in Hollywood created tensions with the royals and led to estrangement.
Nearly seven years into their marriage, Harry and Meghan remain a topic of public fascination, even as reports claim they are now “professionally separated” and navigating challenges both personally and within the royal family.
