From blind date to I do

Since Prince Harry first confirmed that he was dating American actress Meghan Markle, the couple's every move has been documented and scrutinized. CNN looks at what we know about their relationship:

FIRST DATE (EARLY JULY 2016)

Harry and Meghan go on a blind date in London after being set up by a mutual friend (as revealed by the couple in a post-engagement interview). The first date is quickly followed by a second the next day.

TRIP TO AFRICA (LATE JULY OR AUGUST 2016): Meghan visits Harry and camps out with him for several days during his trip to Botswana. The media and public are unaware of their burgeoning relationship.

FIRST NEWS REPORTS (OCTOBER 2016): Rumors about the relationship first start appearing in British media. Some articles focus on Meghan's racial background and her status as a divorcee.

'HARRY AND HIS MEG' (DECEMBER 15, 2016): Britain's tabloid The Sun newspaper publishes the first picture of the couple, taken while they are out together in London.

FIRST KISS ON CAMERA (MAY 7, 2017): Meghan watches Harry play a charity polo match. Pictures of the couple kissing make headlines the next day.

MEGHAN SPEAKS OUT (SEPTEMBER 5, 2017)

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Meghan speaks publicly about her relationship with Harry for the first time. "We're two people who are really happy and in love," she says.

FIRST MAJOR APPEARANCE (SEPTEMBER 25, 2017): Harry and Meghan make their first major public appearance as a couple at the Invictus Games in Toronto. Pictures of the pair looking happy and relaxed are soon splashed across websites and front pages around the world.

THE PRINCE POPS THE QUESTION (EARLY NOVEMBER 2017): The couple get engaged after the prince proposes during a "cosy night" in at their home in Nottingham Cottage, London – but they keep the news a secret.

 'WE'RE ENGAGED' (NOVEMBER 27, 2017)

The engagement is announced via Twitter. Harry and Meghan make a public appearance in the grounds of Kensington Palace before recording an interview broadcast on BBC TV in the evening. Harry reveals he fell in love with Meghan "incredibly quickly."

FIRST WALKABOUT (DECEMBER 1, 2017): For their first official public engagement, the couple travel to the city of Nottingham -- somewhere Harry has spent a lot of time since first meeting with young people there in 2013 to explore issues around youth violence. Crowds of well-wishers turn out in the freezing cold to congratulate the newly-engaged couple.

YOUTH FORUM VISIT (APRIL 18, 2018): During a gathering of Commonwealth heads of government in London, the couple meet young leaders from across the region. In a speech, Harry says he is excited about his new role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador – and about Meghan's role alongside him.

THE QUEEN CONSENTS (MAY 13, 2018)

Buckingham Palace releases an image of the hand-written document officially recording the Queen's consent to the wedding and signed by the monarch herself. It's written on vellum -- a kind of parchment originally made from calf skin -- and decorated with flowers symbolizing the two home nations of the bride and groom.

LAST-MINUTE DRAMA (MAY 14, 2018): Just days before the wedding, family drama threatens to derail the couple's plans. Meghan's father Thomas Markle reportedly admits staging photos of himself with a paparazzo and tells TMZ he is having heart surgery, putting his attendance in doubt. Kensington Palace asks the media to show “understanding and respect” towards Thomas Markle “in this difficult situation.”

THE BIG DAY (MAY 19, 2018)

Harry and Meghan gets married in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. They become Duke and Duchess of Sussex.