The royal engagement day continues! To quickly review, today got off to an exciting start today when Clarence House, the official residence of Prince Charles, announced that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were engaged. Other royals quickly shared how happy they were with the news, and the newly-engaged couple appeared for a brief photo-call at Kensington Palace. But as taken as we were with Meghan Markle’s sparkly engagement ring and perfect, white, wrap-coat, it was soon after that we got to the really good stuff.
As was expected, following the photo-call, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sat down for a joint interview together. (In 2010, Prince William and Kate Middleton also participated in a photo-call and subsequent televised interview.) The couple appeared seated on a couch together, clasping hands, with Markle’s deep green shift dress more fully on display.
Right off the bat, the interviewer asked the happy couple how the proposal had happened. (The exact question we were wondering!) Prince Harry responded, with a beaming Markle watching him as he spoke.
“It happened a few weeks ago, earlier this month, here at our cottage, just a standard, typical night for us—“ Prince Harry said. At this point, Markle added, “Just a cozy night, what were we doing? Just roasting chicken.”
A brief and slightly funny back and forth ensued, in which the couple conceded that they were more “trying to roast a chicken.” No matter, this tidbit just made things all the more relatable for everyone else out there. After all, who hasn’t had a cozy night in, and struggled a bit with this seemingly easy dish?
But cooking details aside, both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle went on to share more details about that special night. “It was jut an amazing surprise,” Markle said, brimming with evident emotion. “It was so sweet, and natural, and very romantic. He got on one knee.”
“Of course,” Prince Harry quickly responded. Markle, her excitement all the more endearing, exclaimed, “Yes!” And quickly added, “As a mater of fact, I could barely let you finish proposing.”
Prince Harry then related that the couple embraced, and he had to ask, “Can I give you the ring now?” (To which Markle exclaimed, “Oh yes the ring!”). The ring, as we now know, features three diamonds set on a gold band. Prince Harry used a central diamond from Botswana, and two diamonds from the collection of his mother, the late Princess Diana.
That last aspect of this proposal story may not be something every newly engaged bride can relate to, but all in all, it sounds like Prince Harry proposed in a decidedly down-to-earth, and normal, way. A private and romantic moment for two people in love, just as many a couple are likely to choose.
And as for the surprise-factor? After all, for many people, catching your loved one off guard is a must. “It was a really nice moment, just the two of us, and I think I managed to catch her by surprise,“ Prince Harry said. “Think” of course is the operative word here. But while Meghan Markle may or may not have been shocked in the moment, let the record state that this is an event we’ve been eagerly anticipating. Above, watch the happy couple’s full interview together.
—Madeleine Luckel
