Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's love story: From blind date to fairy-tale royal wedding

How did they meet?

The pair were set up by a mutual friend (rumored to be fashion designer Misha Nonoo or Violet von Westenholz, a fashion publicist whose father is a baron and friends with the Prince of Wales). “It was definitely a setup, it was a blind date,” Meghan Markle said after the engagement was announced.

Where was their first date?

They reportedly met up at Soho House in London. “We met for a drink and then very quickly into that, we said, ‘Well what are we doing tomorrow? We should meet again,’” Markle recalled in November.

So what happened next?

With Harry living in London and Markle in Toronto, they weren’t able to see each other all the time. But Harry, according to royal commentator Katie Nicholl, “took a very bold step” just weeks after their first meeting and invited Markle on a trip to Botswana.

“He was going over there for a holiday before he was doing some official work,” Nicholl says. “Under the stars, in Africa, they were camping out for a few nights that I think they really fell in love.”

When did they make their romance official?

The couple kept their relationship under wraps for as long as they possibly could. But when the paparazzi harassing Markle got to be too much, the palace released a statement on her behalf. “Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle’s safety and is deeply disappointed he has not been able to protect her,” the press release read.

How did Harry propose?

While roasting a chicken. “It was so sweet and natural and very romantic,” Markle said. In fact, she was so excited that Harry could barely finish proposing before she jumped in and said, “Can I say yes now?”

“It was a really nice moment,” Harry said. “It was just the two of us, and I think I managed to catch her by surprise as well.”

What about the engagement ring?

The ring was designed by Harry himself. It has a gold band featuring one large diamond from Botswana — which has a special significance for the couple — surrounded by two smaller stones from his mother Princess Diana’s personal jewelry collection.

What’s next?

The wedding is set for Saturday, May 19, at Windsor Castle.

And after that?

The couple has yet to announce if and when they’ll be going on a honeymoon. But on Tuesday, May 22, Prince Harry and Markle will be attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace for the Prince of Wales’s 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to say “I do” on Saturday, May 19, at Windsor Castle. Yahoo will cover the historic event live from London from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. BST (5 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET). Bookmark this link to follow along LIVE.