14 April 2023 , 22:15
387
0
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's whirlwind romance began in 2016 and has seen them enjoy a fairy tale wedding and welcome two children together, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were "the golden couple" during the early days of their relationship, according to royal author Penny Junor.
Reminiscing about Harry and Meghan's tour of Africa in 2019, she said: "They were the golden couple, sprinkling fairy dust all over southern Africa."
Former royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter agreed, saying "their troubles seemed to disappear" during that trip.
Speaking on the recent Channel 5 documentary, Harry & Meghan: What Next?, he said: "They got very positive press in southern Africa; they went down incredibly well.
Meghan Markle 'to unleash her own memoirs' as Prince Harry's drops next week
Meghan and Harry were 'the golden couple' (PA)"It couldn't have done it. Had they written the script themselves couldn't have been better."
Just months after their trip, however, Meghan and Harry decided to step back as senior members of the Royal Family.
Penny said: "At the end of that tour, they completely shot themselves in the foot."
After stepping back from the Royal Family, Meghan and Harry moved to California and have opened up about their time in The Firm.
The couple gave a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, released their own Netflix docuseries and Harry even released an explosive memoir about his life, Spare.
They stepped back as senior members of the Royal Family in 2020 (Matt Dunham/AP/REX/Shutterstock)In recent months, the Sussexes had been surrounded by speculation about whether or not they would attend King Charles' Coronation.
They finally made their announcement on Wednesday, with Harry confirming he will by at Westminster Abbey on May 6 while Meghan will stay in the US with their children.
Harry will appear alongside family members including his brother Prince William and wife Kate Middleton for the first time since he opened up about their relationship in his book.
Prince Harry is expected to make just a flying visit to the Coronation before heading home to California, with the Duke set to miss out on a host of celebratory events.
Friends of Harry and Meghan said the fact that Archie's fourth birthday falls on the same day as the once-in-a-generation event was a 'factor' in the decision for Harry to attend on his own.
Harry and Meghan convinced 'royals were against them' after New Year photo snub