How The Sun pictured Harry and Meghan together for the first time on Christmas date last year
THE Sun pictured Prince Harry and Meghan Markle together for the first time on a romantic date in London last year.
The lovebirds were snapped hand in hand walking to the theatre - almost a year before they announced their engagement today.
In a world exclusive The Sun's Royal Correspondent reported the pair went to the West End show The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.
We reported she had been staying with the prince at his two-bed cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace - which will now be their marital home.
The pair were known to be flying back and forth from Canada and London as their romance hotted up, but this was the first time the couple had been pictured together.
Now they have cemented their relationship by announcing they are to be married next year.
How Harry and Meghan's romance blossomed
May - October 2016: 'Besotted' Harry meets his future princess
May 2, 2016 - It is not known exactly when Prince Harry first met the Suits actress but he travelled to Toronto, where Meghan Markle lives to launch the countdown to the Invictus Games. The pair are then believed to have been introduced through friends in London in July last year and started seeing eachother.
Oct 30, 2016 - News of their relationship broke and the prince was described as 'besotted' with the actress. A source described Harry as "happier than he's been for many years".
November 2016 - January 2017: Protective prince defends new love
Nov 8, 2016 - In an unprecedented statement, Harry attacked the media over its "abuse and harassment" of his girlfriend. He claimed Meghan had experienced racism and sexism and even attempts by members of the press to get into her home.
Nov 11, 2016 - Three days later Ms Markle was spotted in London amid unconfirmed reports she was stay at Kensington Palace for the first time.
Dec 6, 2016 - Harry flew straight from his Caribbean tour to Toronto to be with Ms Markle, making a 1,700-mile (2,736 km) detour instead of flying to London.
Dec 13, 2016 - The couple were buying a Christmas tree together in Battersea Park. The tree seller described the pair as "totally happy, cute, couple-y - but not overly mushy and gross".
February 2017 - June 2017: First public kiss and meeting the family
Feb 2, 2017 - Harry and Meghan were spotted holding hands on a date night in London amid claims she had "virtually moved in" with the prince at his two-bedroom bachelor pad Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace.
May 7, 2017 - The couple were photographed kissing in public for the first time at Cowarth Park polo club in Ascot, Berkshire, and just days later she joined Harry at Pippa Middleton's wedding reception.
July 2017 - November 2017: Wedding rumours and engagement announced
July 8 - Meghan was reported to have been spotted trying on wedding dresses, sending rumours of an impending engagement into overdrive.
Sep 5 - Ms Markle graced the cover of US magazine Vanity Fair and spoke openly about Harry for the first time, revealing: ''We're two people who are really happy and in love.''
Sep 25, 2017 - Just days later they appeared hand-in hand at their first official public appearance together at Invictus's wheelchair tennis.
Nov 27, 2017 - After weeks of speculation, Clarence House announced the engagement, and the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh say they are "delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness."
Clarence House today released a statement which said: "His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle.
"The Wedding will take place in Spring 2018. Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course.
"His Royal Highness and Ms Markel became engaged in London earlier this month.
"Prince Harry has informed her Majesty The Queen and other close members of his family.
"Prince Harry has also sought and received the blessing of Ms Markle's parents.
"The couple will live in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace."
An engagement appeared to be on the cards last week after bookies suddenly suspended betting on another royal wedding.
Rumours have been rife ever since Meghan, 36, was said to have pulled out of Thanksgiving celebrations in Los Angeles to be in London.
Under strict royal protocol, the Prince also asked the Queen for permission to marry the actress.
In a statement, she and the Duke of Edinburgh today announced they "are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness".
As rumours start and excitement reaches fever pitch over the wedding there will be questions over the dress, the venue, the date and what Harry, 33, will get up to on his stag.
The general public will also be very keen to know if Brits will get a bank holiday for the wedding.
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