Prince Harry and Princess Meghan: relationship, key dates, and verified details

Overview

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are members of the British royal family who married in 2018 and stepped back as senior royals in 2020. This evergreen explainer outlines their relationship timeline, wedding, children, titles, charitable work, and key agreements following their move to North America. It focuses on verified milestones and publicly reported details to provide a durable reference for their shared public role.

Relationship timeline

Harry and Meghan met in July 2016 through mutual friends in London. Their engagement was announced on 27 November 2017. They married on 19 May 2018 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, in a ceremony widely televised and streamed. The couple’s first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, was born on 6 May 2019. Their second child, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, was born on 4 June 2021. Public steps back from senior royal duties were outlined in January 2020, commonly referred to as Megxit, with financial independence and a semi-private life in North America cited as aims.

Key milestones at a glance

Titles and style

Meghan became Duchess of Sussex upon marriage. They were typically styled as Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and they retain the titles despite stepping back from frontline royal duties. Harry remains a prince by birth, and their children hold the surname Mountbatten-Windsor. No official change of title has been announced following their relocation; however, senior working royal roles and associated HRH usage have not been emphasized in their public life since 2020.

Charitable focus and public roles

Before stepping back, the Duke and Duchess championed causes including mental health awareness, gender equality, racial justice, and veterans’ support. Harry’s longtime work on HIV and malaria continued through his charity Sentebale, while Meghan’s advocacy focused on women’s empowerment and literacy. Since moving to North America, they have continued advocacy through their Archewell Foundation and Archewell Audio, with projects in philanthropy, storytelling, and media that align with their longstanding priorities.

Notable charitable initiatives

• Sentebale — HIV and malaria advocacy led by Prince Harry
• Heads Together — mental health campaign associated with the Duke and Duchess
• Archewell Foundation — nonprofit work launched after stepping back
• Archewell Audio — media and podcast platform producing documentary and interview content

Family and personal details

The couple’s family includes their two children, Archie and Lilibet. Public appearances of the family have been rare since 2020, with selective interviews and documentaries providing insight into their home life. Harry and Meghan have emphasized protecting their children’s privacy while sharing selected stories to highlight diversity, inclusion, and resilience. Parenting updates and milestone announcements continue to draw sustained public interest, balanced against their stated preference for a lower public profile.

Financial arrangements and transition

Their transition away from public funding included an agreement to repay security costs related to UK police services and to assume financial responsibility for their household. While earlier royal funds provided initial support during the adjustment period, they moved toward self-sufficiency through commercial deals, speaking engagements, and philanthropic commitments. Reports indicate a focus on long-term financial independence, with earnings from media projects and strategic partnerships supporting their North America–based lifestyle and charitable giving.

Documented financial indicators