Oct. 31, 2016: The Sunday Express reports that Prince Harry has been secretly dating Suits star Meghan Markle. According to one source, Harry is “happier than he’s been for many years” and “there’s definitely chemistry between them.” Meghan’s Instagram becomes the destination for royal enthusiasts, who note the timing of this photo of two bananas spooning.

 

Nov. 1, 2016: Canadian paper the Vancouver Sun publishes a Q&A with Meghan promoting her collection for retailer Reitmans. The piece is mostly about the collection, her charity work with World Vision, and her holiday plans. She makes no mention of Harry but offers this cryptic quote, “So, my cup runneth over and I’m the luckiest girl in the world!”

Both Toronto paper Star and Us Weekly report that Harry and Meghan attended a Halloween party together in Canada following a “bait-and-switch” situation at Heathrow airport. (Meghan lives in Toronto when Suits is filming). Peo ple, meanwhile, reports that Harry has already introduced his new girlfriend to his father, Prince Charles. According to one source, “Harry is pretty serious about her and she is pretty serious about him.”

Nov. 8, 2016: Harry confirms his relationship by releasing a rare statement that includes a plea to the media and social media trolls to stop the “wave of abuse and harassment.” According to Harry, there have been “nightly legal battles” to stop papers from publishing defamatory stories while Meghan’s mother has been fighting photographers at front door.

“Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle’s safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her. It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm. He knows commentators will say this is ‘the price she has to pay’ and that ‘this is all part of the game’. He strongly disagrees. This is not a game – it is her life and his.”

Nov. 18, 2016: Meghan posts this Mahatma Gandhi quote to her Instagram, leading many to view it as her first official response to Harry’s statement on their relationship.

 

Nov. 21, 2016: During an official visit to Antigua, Prime Minister Gaston Browne teases Harry, “I believe we are expecting a new princess soon. I want know that you are very welcome to come on your honeymoon here … there will be nowhere in the world as special to spend your honeymoon, when that day arrives.” Sources tell Us Weekly Harry was “clearly embarrassed” and even “went bright red.” Oh, Harry.

 

Nov. 27, 2016: Following reports that Prince William was unhappy with Harry’s decision to go public with his relationship, Wills releases a statement through Kensington Palace to clear the air: “The Duke of Cambridge absolutely understands the situation concerning privacy and supports the need for Prince Harry to support those closest to him.”

Dec. 7, 2016: While at a flower shop in Toronto, Meghan is pictured wearing a necklace with the letters “M” and “H.” According to Entertainment Tonight, the 14K gold Maya Brenner Asymmetrical Letter necklace is Dhs880, with an additional Dhs220 for each letter.

Dec. 14, 2016: Google confirms that Meghan was the most-searched actress of 2016, with Brad Pitt taking top spot for actors. That same day, Meghan and Harry are spotted holding hands in public for the first time after catching The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime on London’s West End. The Sun reports that the couple, who wore his-and-hers beanies, admired Christmas lights along Piccadilly. The day before, Meghan and Harry were spotted picking out a 6-foot Christmas tree together.

Dec. 20, 2016: Us Weekly reports that Queen Elizabeth II is “fully supportive” of Harry’s relationship with Meghan. According to one source, the Queen is “delighted to see Harry in a loving relationship.”

Jan. 4, 2017: The Daily Mail reports that Harry and Meghan’s father met around six months ago. According to Meghan’s half-brother Thomas Markle Jr., their dad knew about the relationship from the start. “He’s pretty happy about Harry and he’s extremely proud of her,” according to Thomas. “They have an amazing relationship, they’re very close and they’ve always been.”

Jan. 6, 2017: Meghan and Harry embark on their first official vacation together after spending New Year’s in London. Us Weekly reports that the couple jetted off to the Norwegian fjords to catch the Northern Lights, staying with Harry’s close friend, expedition guide and polar consultant Inge Solheim at his luxury property in Tromsø. According to a source at The Sun, Harry “put a lot of thought into it and wanted to make it as romantic and special as possible.”

Jan. 15, 2017: Harry introduces Meghan to Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte, a source tells Us Weekly. The meeting “went well” and took place at Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace earlier in the month. No word on where Charlotte’s brother George was that day.

Feb. 2, 2017: Meghan and Harry are spotted holding hands in London after dinner at the exclusive Soho House, where they reportedly first met last June through mutual friend Markus Anderson, a consultant at the private members’ club. Sources tell The Sun that the actress, who is currently on a break from filming Suits, has “virtually moved in” with Harry at his cottage in Kensington Palace. One friend predicts a spring engagement, “I know that sounds a bit crazily soon, but he’s head over heels and they can’t bear to be apart.”

Feb. 12, 2017: Meghan returns to Instagram after a two-month break to post an inspiring quote about #NoBadEnergy. Note her stylish kitty flats.

Sending good vibes – always in all ways #nobadenergy #bethechange

A post shared by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on

March 4, 2017: Meghan joins Harry at a friend’s wedding in Montego Bay, Jamaica. According to People, Meghan wore a long floral dress and sunglasses while Harry served as one of 14 ushers in a navy blue blazer and pants.

April 7, 2017: In an announcement and final post, Meghan’s lifestyle website The Tig shuts down after nearly three years. “What began as a passion project (my little engine that could) evolved into an amazing community of inspiration, support, fun and frivolity. You’ve made my days brighter and filled this experience with so much joy. Keep finding those Tig moments of discovery, keep laughing and taking risks, and keep being ‘the change you wish to see in the world.’”

Despite speculations that this is a sign Meghan and Harry will soon tie the knot, a source tells People that the actress’ decision to close the site is related to her filming schedule for Suits and her humanitarian work. “The Tig has been a labor of love for Meghan, but it’s a full time job,” says the source.

April 13, 2017: Harry secretly flies to Toronto to spend Easter weekend with Meghan, according to photos obtained by E! News. The site reports that Harry arrived with a large duffel bag and sported a baseball hat to hide his face outside Meghan’s building.

April 14, 2017: TMZ publishes photos of Meghan wearing a new ring on her left index finger while out in Toronto. The ring contains one important detail: the initial “H.”

Originally appeared on Cosmopolitan.com