Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 6, 2025 · Entertainment

Harry & Meghan's Secret Success: The Two-Week Rule That Kept Their Early Love Alive

Prince Harry and Meghan smile while announcing their engagement in 2017

The Scandalous Romance of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: A Royal Family Feud

In a shocking revelation, a well-known saying has been proven true once again: "people make time for who they want to make time for." When Prince Harry met Meghan Markle in the summer of 2016, both had packed schedules, but their whirlwind romance would change the course of history.

The couple's Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, gives a glimpse into the early days of their long-distance relationship. In July 2016, Meghan was in London to promote the new season of her hit TV show Suits and was set up on a "blind" date with Prince Harry at the exclusive Soho House.

In their docuseries, Harry & Meghan, the couple described the early days of their long-distance relationship

But here's the juicy part: Harry had just returned from France to commemorate the Battle of the Somme and was still reeling from his sombre spirits. The couple's first date took place at 76 Dean Street, where Meghan made a bold move by initiating their second date just one day after their first meeting!

"I called him that evening and said 'Look I'm leaving the day after tomorrow, do you want to grab dinner tomorrow night?'" Meghan revealed in the docuseries. "I'm sure he thought it was so forward and American."

And, boy, did she ever get under his skin! Their third date was a romantic trip to Botswana, where they camped out under the stars. It was during this trip that Harry knew he had found his soulmate.

The Netflix show revealed Harry was late to their first date at Soho House in London

But their fairy tale romance wasn't all smooth sailing. After this trip, Meghan gave Harry a strict rule: if they wanted to make their relationship work, they had to see each other in two weeks or less. Yes, you read that right – a TWO-WEEK RULE!

As the Prince explained, "She said it was much easier for her to come and see me in the UK. I could still just get on a commercial flight and go and see him under the radar." And so, Meghan would often fly over to visit Harry at Kensington Palace grounds, where they'd take romantic walks around Frogmore.

But what about Harry's love life before Meghan? The poor Prince had been on a string of failed relationships with heiresses, airheads, and aristocrats. One expert even dubbed him the "royal Bridget Jones"!

For their third date, Harry took Meghan away on a romantic trip to Botswana

In 2016, at the age of 31, Harry finally felt ready to settle down and find a wife. He even told TV presenter Denise van Outen at a birthday party in January 2016 that he was off the market: "I'm not dating and for the first time ever I want to find a wife."

Four months later, he brought up the subject of love and marriage again during an interview with The Sunday Times: "At the moment my focus is very much on work but if someone slips into my life then that's absolutely fantastic." Little did he know that Meghan would soon become his perfect match!

Their relationship became public in September 2017, and by November, they were engaged. But their whirlwind romance wasn't without its bumps. After a short stint as working royals following their wedding in May 2018, the couple announced that they would be stepping back as senior royals in January 2020.

Harry later said it was during the Botswana trip that he knew Meghan was his 'soulmate'

The coining of the term "Megxit" quickly followed – one of Collins Dictionary's Words Of The Year in 2020! But it wasn't just about Meghan; Harry's decision to leave his royal duties marked a bitter end to the fairy tale romance Britain had adored with the couple.

In February 2021, after a year's review period, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the couple would not be returning to their royal roles. Then came the Oprah Winfrey documentary, which sent shockwaves around the world.

The pair made allegations that rocked the monarchy during the 85-minute conversation. They claimed comments had been made about how dark the skin of their son, Prince Archie, might be when he was born, while Meghan accused Kate of making her cry over bridesmaid dresses just days before her wedding.

Queen Elizabeth then issued a statement saying the issues raised in the interview would be dealt with privately as a family, adding that "recollections may vary." Since the revelatory interview, the Sussexes have been accused by the likes of Piers Morgan of lying, with the couple themselves taking back some of their statements.

In his recent no-holds-barred BBC interview, Harry revealed that he can't see a world where he would bring Meghan and their children to the UK. And now, it seems like their royal family feud will continue to play out in public for years to come.

Sources:

In the first episode of their Netflix series, Harry & Meghan, Harry explained: 'She had a two-week rule, which was very smart, that said we had to see each other in, or around two weeks'

  • Harry & Meghan Netflix docuseries
  • TheScholarlyNote.com
  • Robert Hardman's book, Charles III: The Inside Story

The Duchess said: 'It was much easier for me to go and see him in the UK. I could still just get on a commercial flight and go and see him under the radar'

Harry said at the time: 'I fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly - it was a confirmation to me that all the stars were aligned'

Early in their relationship, Meghan would fly to the UK and the two would go for walks around Frogmore - away from the public eye

Meghan and Harry's relationship became public in September 2017 and by November, the two were engaged

The couple wave to well-wishers following their wedding ceremony in St George's Chapel in 2018

Writing in his book, Charles III: The Inside Story, Mail columnist Robert Hardman described the Oprah interview as 'the most astonishing unburdening of family secrets since the late Princess of Wales sat down with the BBC's Martin Bashir in 1995'

The pair made allegations that rocked the monarchy during the 85-minute conversation with Oprah Winfrey

Since the revelatory interview, the Sussexes have been accused by the likes of Piers Morgan of lying, with the couple themselves taking back some of their statements

Harry most recently made headlines for his explosive BBC documentary following his lost appeal regarding security protection in the UK