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You have to admit, for a couple who insist they’re all about encouraging human connection, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle seem to go through a lot of friends. After all, over the past 12 months, the couple have made impressive efforts to shrink their inner circles – with Harry in particular cutting official ties with his family, moving away from his UK circle, and battening down the hatches with Meghan and their one-year-old son Archie in their Santa Barbara mansion.
Along the way, they’ve stated they’ll no longer be cooperating with a large chunk of the British media, and most recently, they’ve quit social media, because of the extreme trolling they’ve faced.
But, according to insiders, that’s just the beginning. Having whittled down their outer circles, they’re now focusing on those closer to home, and inspecting each and every one extremely closely – that includes staff, A-list friends and their business associates. And if anyone raises their suspicions, they will be frozen out immediately.
“Harry and Meghan are more concerned than ever about protecting their privacy,” says an insider close to the couple, who last year let go of their 15-person team of staff after quitting their duties as senior royals. “They’re going through the list of people in their inner circle with a fine-tooth comb, and anyone who enters their world is thoroughly vetted. They’re also being more meticulous than ever about anything they put in writing, and have had serious talks with friends and associates about the heightened need for discretion. In essence, it’s them clamping down on leaks of any kind. They have a zero-tolerance policy.”
CHECK OUT Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship from the start
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle relationship (slider)
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met in London in July 2016.
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They were introduced by mutual friend Markus Anderson, who is the director of Soho House.
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In October 2016, the Express became the first newspaper to publish news that Prince Harry had a new girlfriend.
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On November 8th 2016, Kensington Palace released an unprecedented statement which referring to Markle as Harry's girlfriend for the first time.
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In the statement, Prince Harry condemned the 'wave of abuse and harrassment' faced by Markle, saying that he was 'worried about Ms. Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her.'
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'It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm,' the statement continued.
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The couple were papped together for the first time in December 2016, shopping for a Christmas tree in London at the Pines and Needles store.
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Later that week, they were seen on London's West End, catching a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
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In February, Prince Harry wore a his 'n' hers bracelet on the cover of Town & Country magazine, just weeks after Markle was pictured wearing the same one on Instagram.
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In March 2017, Meghan joined Prince Harry in the Caribbean for the wedding of his friend's Tom 'Skippy' Inskip and Lara Hughes-Young.
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It was the first time that Markle accompanied Harry to a wedding, marking another milestone occasion for the couple.
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The first public event attended by the couple was the polo at Coworth Park in May 2017.
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Later in May, Markle attended the party portion of Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Middelton.
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Prince Harry was seen driving her to the event after the church ceremony.
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The couple were photographed together the following day at the wheelchair tennis.
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The couple 'broke with royal protocol' by holding hands and appearing affectionate while at the Invictus Games.
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In an interview with Vanity Fair, Meghan referred to Harry as her boyfriend numerous times, saying: 'We're a couple. We're in love. I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people understand is that this is our time.'
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In early November 2017, it was reported that Meghan Markle was leaving Suits after seven series.
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Much was made of Markle's choice of outfit: ripped jeans and a white blouse called 'The Husband'.
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Although Prince Harry was sat next to First Lady Melania Trump at the event, rather than his girlfriend, she was only seated a few rows behind him.
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The couple made their first official public appearance in September, when Markle attended the opening of Prince Harry's Invictus Games.
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In mid-November 2017, bookies suspending betting on an impending royal engagement, as speculation grew that an announcement was about to be made.
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On November 27th 2017, Prince Charles announced the engagement of his younger son Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after 15 months of dating.
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The couple later appeared at a photocall, with Markle wearing a white dress coat by Canadian brand Line The Label. The website has subsequently crashed.
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The engagement ring, by Cleave and Company, was reportedly designed by Prince Harry himself, using two stones that belonged to Princess Diana.
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When asked by waiting photographers if the proposal was romantic, Harry joked 'of course!'
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The couple indulged in some PDA at the closing ceremony.
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Meghan wore a maroon midi dress with a pleated chiffon skirt by one of her favourite Canadian brands Aritzia.
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She teamed it with a matching burgundy biker jacket by Mackage.
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Prince Harry reportedly spent time with Meghan's mother Doria while at the Games too.
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Prince Harry was photographed kissing Meghan.
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In late September 2017, it was reported that Meghan had met the Queen, prompting speculation that the relationship was getting serious.
The ongoing matter of privacy is something of a sticky issue for the Sussexes, considering their apparent love/hate relationship with courting attention. Last year, they insisted they wanted to step away from the royal spotlight, before moving to LA – the hub of celebrity fame. What’s more, despite ditching Instagram and Twitter – after reportedly saying they’ve dealt with an “almost unsurvivable” amount of abuse online – they’re still committed to their multimillion-dollar deals with Netflix and Spotify.
And last week, it was revealed they’re now planning to start a TV and film company, Archewell Productions, which will apparently make comedies, dramas and thrillers. Add to that the fact that they have relied on their A-list pals to plug their products, such as Oprah Winfrey, who used her personal Instagram to promote a “superlatte” brand that Meghan has invested in.
But, according to our source, the couple remain hellbent on controlling what goes public and what stays private. And that means a friends clearout, and putting their staff through a more rigorous recruitment drive than MI5.
“They ask all potential employees for four or five references instead of two, and insist on having a trial period,” we’re told. “They’re also being a lot more careful about online activity in general, and regularly change their passwords. Their closest inner circle, which includes the likes of Oprah, Serena Williams and the Clooneys, are aware of their security overhaul, and they’re welcoming as much cooperation and input from those loved ones as possible to flush out any moles or untrustworthy types. It’s all about quality versus quantity in every aspect of their lives right now – and that applies to the people in it.”
Hear that? That’s human connection done right.
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine - OUT NOW.