Everyone who's heard about how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met knows that a certain African country played a huge role in their romance. Back in July 2016, the royal and the Suits actress were set up on a blind date by their mutual friend, Violet Von Westenholtz. Sparks flew immediately, but with Meghan committed to a shooting schedule in the US, and Harry busy with his own royal duties, the two couldn't just go on dates like a normal couple.
So, after their second date, he invited her to join him on a trip to Botswana, and she (obviously) agreed. From the way he tells the story, it seems like that's where they really became a couple.
"I managed to persuade her to come and join me in Botswana and we camped out with each other under the stars. We were really by ourselves, which was crucial to me to make sure that we had a chance to get to know each other."
It was their second trip to Botswana, however, that really sealed the deal for their love affair. Last August, Prince Harry whisked Meghan off on a romantic three-week stay for her 36th birthday, and it is rumored that this was where he decided that she was meant to be his wife. Shortly afterwards, in September, Markle told Vanity Fair that they were "really happy and in love," and, just a month later, they announced their engagement.
Whereas Kensington Palace has declined to comment on the specifics of where they stayed in Botswana, Reuters UK has managed to reveal that they went to the Okavango Delta, a vast inland river delta in northern Botswana known for its sprawling grassy plains and a lush animal habitat filled with hippos, elephants, crocodiles, lions, leopards, giraffes, and rhinos.
A post shared by Into the Okavango (@intotheokavango) on
There, they stayed in a $800-a-night traditional thatched roof cabin called Mapula Lodge, which translates to"mother of rain." The romantic, remote lodging included a carved wooden bed and overlooked a vast lagoon.
A post shared by Uncharted Africa Safari Co. (@unchartedafrica) on
During their time there, the couple enjoyed sunset cruises along the creeks, tried fishing, and went on safari. On one of their most romantic evenings out, the couple was driven to an even more deserted location, where they were served a three-course meal beside a roaring fire, under the watchful eye of an ancient baobab tree.
Don't mess with #tradition. #mokorosafari #botswana #okavango #delta #MapulaLodge @sundestinations
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Just when you thought their romance couldn't get any more fairytale-like.
The couple enjoyed a sunset cruise and tried their hand at fishing. In the most romantic offering at the camp, they dined under an ancient baobab tree at twilight.
— Reuters UK (@ReutersUK) April 30, 2018
The good news is that this 5-star, 9-room hotel isn't only available for royals and famous actresses. You can book your own romantic getaway to the exclusive destination here.
At Mapula Lodge, an isolated $800-a-night retreat, Harry and Meghan slept in a traditional thatched cabin looking out over a lagoon.
— Reuters UK (@ReutersUK) April 30, 2018
And for more romance, check out 15 Times Romantic Men Simply Nailed the Marriage Proposal. For more on how Prince Harry wooed Meghan Markle, check out The 10 Princely Ways That Harry Won Meghan.
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Diana Bruk Diana is a senior editor who writes about sex and relationships, modern dating trends, and health and wellness.Read moreFiled UnderPrince Harry • Royal FamilyRead This Next11 Times A-List Celebrities Became Real Life Heroes
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