The secrets behind the historic moment Prince Harry introduced Meghan Markle to the world

Prince Harry fell in love with Meghan Markle shortly after they met, and their romance quickly blossomed.

When they first started dating, Meghan was living in Toronto and working as an actress in Suits, while Harry dutifully went about his duties as a royal in Britain and lived in Nottingham Cottage, on the grounds of Kensington Palace.

As things became more serious between the couple, a joint public appearance became more likely and rumors even circulated of an impending engagement.

Royal biographer Andrew Morton revealed the small details of exactly how Harry introduced his future wife to the world in his book Meghan: A Hollywood Princess.

Harry launched the Invictus Games in 2014 and is involved in various related sporting events every year.

In 2017, the prince chose a wheelchair tennis match between Australia and New Zealand as an opportunity to officially meet Meghan for the first time.

Before the couple entered the court, the photographers covering the match were informed at the last minute by a Kensington Palace press officer.

Mr Morton wrote how the press officer told the media: ‘If they arrive, stay in your seat and do not leave. If you do that, they will leave.”

She did not explicitly mention the prince or his girlfriend, but it quickly became clear as Harry and Meghan walked hand in hand onto the court and took their seats.

“In the choreography of their romance, this was a showstopper,” Mr. Morton wrote.

The couple was careful with their moves and how their big moment would be captured.

At one point, Meghan was given a bottle of water, but “Harry advised her to put it on the floor and not drink it in view of the camera,” Morton wrote.

Together they put on a loving display, leaning in to talk to each other and even whispering in each other’s ears.

Harry and Meghan held hands as they walked together and appeared to be having a good time.

Meghan also proved to be a natural when it came to interacting with the public. She shook hands with a boy sitting nearby and greeted the children as Harry looked on proudly.

Both wore dark sunglasses in the 30 degree heat.

Harry looked casual in a black Invictus Games polo shirt with jeans, while Meghan made her own statement by wearing a white shirt called The Husband – designed by her friend Misha Nonoo.

Meghan had previously written on her lifestyle blog Tig that the shirt was her “very favorite button-down”, Mr Morton said. For some, the shirt proved to be a popular fashion choice that quickly sold out.

Even her bag was carefully chosen and was a tan tote from Everlane – a company committed to sustainable fashion.

Meghan appeared again at Harry’s side during the closing ceremony of the Games.

She sat in a darkened VIP box at the side of the stage with her friend, Canadian stylist Jessica Mulroney, and her mother, Doria Ragland.

In a romantic moment, Harry was seen kissing his girlfriend on the cheek before leaving her in their box to go to the stage to deliver his closing speech.

As he spoke, Meghan and her mother could be seen clapping enthusiastically as they stood together in their playpen, the Mail reported at the time.

The first photocall seemed to be a success and just two months later Harry and Meghan announced their engagement.

On November 27, 2017, they stood together in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace and shared their exciting news.

Meghan stroked Harry’s arm as they spoke to reporters, who asked him: “When did you know she was the one?” and he replied, “From the very first time we met.”

It was a big step from meeting via a blind date reportedly arranged by a friend the year before.

Harry and Meghan were married on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.