Prince Harrywas smitten withMeghan Marklefrom the start.

The Duke of Sussex, 38, opened up about his relationship with his wife in his memoir,Spare, published Jan. 10. Part 3 of the book begins with the story of how he first connected with Meghan, 41, after seeing her photo whilescrolling on Instagramin 2016.

Meghan and a mutual friend named Violet made a silly video with a Snapchat dog face filter, andPrince Harrywrote that he’d “never seen anyone so beautiful” when her face popped up on his feed. Harry asked Violet to make an introduction, and she shared Harry’ssecret Instagram accountwith theSuitsstar. Meghan messaged him first, and they immediately connected over a shared love of Africa, as Harry’s page was filled with photos from the country (a revelation the Duke and Duchess of Sussex first made inHarry & Meghanon Netflix).

Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty; Ray Tamarra/GC

WIGAN, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Prince Harry visits The Blair Project at Three Sisters Raceway on July 5, 2016 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images); NEW YORK, NY - JULY 14: Actress Meghan Markle leaves the “Today Show” taping at NBC Rockefeller Center Studios on July 14, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/GC Images)

The conversation, which quickly turned to text, began on July 1, 2016 — what would have beenPrincess Diana’s55th birthday. Meghan was coincidentally in London to watch Wimbledon, and she said yes when Harry asked if she’d like to meet before she flew back home to Canada.

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meghan markle

“Great. Now: Where to meet? I suggested my place,” Harry wrote. “Your place? On a first date? I don’t think so,“he recalled that Meghan said, to which he countered, “No, I didn’t mean it like that.”

“She didn’t realize that being royal meant being radioactive, that I was unable to just meet at a coffee shop or pub,” he explained.

Meghan had an idea — Soho House at 76 Dean Street, “her headquarters whenever she came to London” — and booked a table for them at the private social club for the following night.

On July 3, 2016, Harry was 30 minutes late for their first date due to bad traffic.

The book jacket of Prince Harry’s memoir ‘Spare’.PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE

Prince Harry book

Netflix

Harry & Meghan Netflix Documentary

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Filling the space, Meghan chatted about London and her work. A server came and went to take their order, “and the conversation really started to flow.”

Harry & Meghan Netflix Documentary

Meghan FaceTimed Harry later that evening, and they set another date, agreeing to meet again at Soho House the next night. There, the natural banter continued, leading to their first kiss and asnuggled-up selfie, which they shared inHarry & Meghan.

They would meet againlater that summerfor a camping trip in Botswana.

source: people.com