The engagement ring given by Prince Harry to divorced American actress Meghan Markle has a special connection to his mother Princess Diana and was also inspired by an important milestone in the couple’s relationship.
They spoke about the connection in an interview with the BBC this morning with millions of approving people around the world tuning in.
A vast difference to 80 years ago when the then King Edward II was demonised when he wanted to marry twice divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson which was opposed by the government and church, leading to his abdication.
But back to Harry and Meghan. Prince Harry said on the BBC he proposed while cooking a roast chicken.
He said he got down on one knee while the couple were cooking together and it was an instant “yes” from Ms Markle.
“She didn’t even let me finish,” said Prince Harry. She said “can I say yes, can I say yes?” And then were was hugs and I had the ring in my finger, and I [asked] can I give you the ring?”
Ms Markle added: “It was so sweet and natural and very romantic.” What’s special about the ring?
The ring is yellow gold and the setting includes three stones — one large one in the middle with a small diamond on each side.
The two smaller stones are from Princess Diana’s personal jewellery collection.
“Not being able to meet his mum, it’s so important to me to know that she’s a part of this with us,” Ms Markle said.
The larger stone was sourced from Botswana, where the couple travelled on their first trip together in August this year.
They went camping for five days and said they spent the time going on long country walks and talking.
“We camped out with each other under the stars,” Prince Harry said.
The couple have been dating for about 18 months.
They said they met through a mutual female friend, who they want to remain anonymous.
They then met again three times in London before Prince Harry asked Ms Markle to Botswana.
The couple have actually been engaged for a few weeks.
Prince Harry said it happened “earlier this month” but he wouldn’t call their relationship a “whirlwind”.
“I don’t think that I would call it a whirlwind in terms of our relationship … we had a good five to six months almost with just privacy, which was amazing,” he said.
“I think we were able to really have so much time just to connect and we never went longer than two weeks without seeing each other, even though we were obviously doing a long distance relationship. We made it work,” Ms Markle said.
Ms Markle has met the Queen, Prince Harry’s father Prince Charles, his brother and sister-in-law, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the rest of the family.
He also said that if his mother were alive today, she’d be jumping up and down with joy.
“The family together have been absolutely a solid support,” he said.
The Queen’s corgis are also particularly taken with Ms Markle, according to Prince Harry.
What does Markle’s family think?
Prince Harry has met Ms Markle’s mother and close friends, but has yet to meet Ms Markle’s father.
According to Ms Markle, while her family were initially concerned about the media attention surrounding their relationship, “everybody was really happy”.
The couple are due to be married in Spring, meaning sometime between March and May next year.
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