Marriage proposals can be a tricky affair, but for Prince Harry, the moment was a whirlwind of emotions that kicked off before he could even finish his question.
On a seemingly ordinary evening at Nottingham Cottage within Kensington Palace on November 4, 2017, Harry decided it was the perfect time to pop the big question.
With Meghan attempting to cook a roast chicken—likely inspired by her admiration for culinary personality Ina Garten—Harry set the stage by uncorking a bottle of champagne.
The idyllic atmosphere he created was reminiscent of Botswana, a place that holds vibrant memories for the couple, marking a pivotal moment in their budding romance when Harry invited Meghan there just a year prior.
As he knelt down and asked, “Will you spend your life with me?
Make me the happiest guy on the planet?”
Meghan didn’t wait for him to finish.
She excitedly interrupted with a beaming, “Can I say yes?
Can I say yes?”
It was a moment that caught both of them off guard, showcasing the excitement they both felt.
However, the engagement wasn’t without its bittersweet elements for Harry.
In various interviews, he expressed how the ring, crafted from gems of his late mother Princess Diana’s bracelet and an ethically sourced diamond from Botswana, was a way to keep his mother’s memory alive in his new journey.
Yet he poignantly noted how much he wished he could share this joyous news with her.
Their engagement came shortly after they made a public appearance at the Invictus Games in Canada in September 2017, making the timing even more poignant.
In the Netflix series, Harry & Meghan, the pair reflect on the proposal, with Harry noting, “Of course, I got down on one knee,” while Meghan echoed their shared joy of the moment.
In the royal biography Finding Freedom, co-authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand shed light on the lead-up to the official announcement of their engagement.
Despite a flurry of media inquiries and speculation, Harry and Meghan kept their private moments closely guarded, employing a strategy of silence that only intensified public curiosity.
The media frenzy outside Kensington Palace was relentless, with eager reporters arriving at the crack of dawn each day, anticipating official news of the couple’s engagement.
The buzz heightened when news surfaced that Harry and Meghan had met with key staff members, hinting that something significant was afoot.
A friend of Meghan revealed that maintaining their engagement as a secret was not only achievable but a cherished period for them.
They found comfort in cozy evenings at home, sharing meals, and simply enjoying each other’s company before the world would put their relationship under a microscope.
Meghan shared the exciting news with only a select few, including her parents and closest friends.
She even sent a snapshot of her beautiful new engagement ring to her girlfriends, relishing in the moment before it was publicly unveiled.
As anticipation mounted, Meghan made Nottingham Cottage her new home just days before their engagement became public.
The couple enjoyed their time together, largely undisturbed by the world outside—a stark contrast to the media hoopla that would soon follow their announcement.
Finally, on November 27, 2017, after weeks of covert bliss, Clarence House released a statement confirming the couple’s engagement.
It felt like the culmination of a journey that began just 16 months earlier when they first crossed paths.
Harry had taken the necessary steps to ensure he had the Queen’s blessing before proposing, a tradition that has held significance in the royal family for generations.
His charming encounter with the monarch, where he nervously sought her approval, reflected both the weight of his family’s traditions and the love he felt for Meghan.
Ultimately, their engagement was an unexpected yet delightful moment for both, setting the stage for what would become a life shared in the public eye.
Despite later revelations about their engagement interview being orchestrated, the raw joy of the moment remains timeless.
