The Gist
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met and began dating in the summer of 2016.
They didn't spend their first Christmas as a couple together, as Harry went to Sandringham while Meghan celebrated in Toronto, where she was living at the time.
They did sneak away for a romantic New Year's getaway to Norway, though.
Prince HarryandMeghan Markleinitially met over the summer of 2016, and while Meghandidn't spend Christmas at Sandringhamthat year, she and Harrydidring in the new year side-by-side in a secret trip to Norway.
Harry spent Christmas 2016 with theroyal family at Sandringham, while Meghan hosted her mother,Doria Ragland, in Toronto, where she was living at the time filmingSuits. For the new year, though, the couple traveled to Tromsø, Norway, whereThe Sunreported they enjoyed "whale-watching, sunsets in the snow, and watched the Aurora Borealis."
"Harry wanted to make this first holiday something [she] will never forget," a source told the outlet. "It wasn't an obvious choice like a glitzy beach resort or tropical island. He'd put a lot of thought into it and wanted to make it as romantic and special as possible."
"Harry wanted to get away from everyone and be totally on their own—just them," the insider added. "The Northern Lights are at their best at this time of year and currently have been the most amazing for ages. They really have had an unforgettable time."
In their 2020 bookFinding Freedom, royal biographers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand wrote that "Harry planned a New Year's trip where they could really get away from it all. He rung up his pal Inge Solheim, a Norwegian adventure guide Harry had befriended during a Walking with the Wounded charity trek back in 2011. Inge had gone all out for Harry when he was with [ex-girlfriend] Cressida [Bonas], arranging a top secret 2014 ski trip to Kazakhstan."
Solheim said, "it's always my pleasure to help a friend like Harry," and the trip was arranged, perFinding Freedom, to provide "absolutely no chance of being bothered by photographers. There, Harry and Meghan enjoyed seven days of dog sledding, whale watching, dining on local delicacies, and snuggling to watch as the Aurora Borealis lit up the skies."
Upon returning to London from Norway, Meghan metKate Middletonfor the first time, right after the future queen's January 9 birthday.
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"Harry is more serious [about Meghan] than he ever has been about a woman before," a source toldE! Newsat the time. "It wouldn't surprise me if he's already thinking about engagement just because that's where his head goes, but that's not where the relationship is at right now."
Harry proposed 10 months later in November 2017, and the couple spent their first Sandringham Christmas together the next month before sneaking away to the French Riviera for New Year's 2018. Of her first Christmas at Sandringham, Harry later toldBBC Radio 4'sTodayprogram, "It was fantastic. She really enjoyed it. The family loved having her there."
Read the original article onInStyle
