Meghan Markle has kicked off 2026 on a nostalgic note, blending romance, family love, and memories from the year that changed her life forever — 2016. The Duchess of Sussex delighted fans by sharing a heartfelt social media post featuring a throwback photo with Prince Harry alongside a newly recorded video captured by their young daughter, Princess Lilibet.
Joining the viral trend where users revisit moments from 2016 to mark a decade gone by, Meghan’s post instantly drew attention. The first slide features a black-and-white video of Meghan, 44, and Harry, 41, dancing playfully in an open field. Dressed casually and laughing as they twirl around, the couple radiates warmth and ease. Adding a personal touch, Meghan revealed that the video was filmed by their four-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet, making the moment even more special.
The second slide takes fans back to where it all began — a photograph of Meghan and Harry from 2016 during their trip to Botswana. The vacation marked their third date and became a turning point in their relationship. Captioning the post, Meghan wrote, “When 2026 feels just like 2016… you had to be there,” perfectly summing up the sentimental mood behind her tribute.
Meghan and Harry first met on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend in July 2016. Their connection was immediate, leading to a string of back-to-back dates in London. Meghan later recalled in a Vanity Fair interview that after their first meeting, they quickly asked each other, “Well, what are we doing tomorrow?” before planning their next date.
Not long after, Harry invited Meghan to Botswana for a five-day camping trip — a bold move for a budding romance. Reflecting on the experience, Harry once admitted he was astonished she agreed. “This woman, that I’ve really met twice, she’s coming to Botswana, and we’re going to be living in a tent for five days!” he said. It was during that trip that Harry realized Meghan was his soulmate, a story he later shared in their Harry & Meghan docuseries.
Their relationship moved swiftly from there. The couple got engaged in November 2017 and married in a grand royal ceremony in May 2018. Today, they share two children — Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.
Though Meghan and Harry keep their children largely out of the public eye, they occasionally offer glimpses of family life. Their recent Christmas card featured the family outdoors, with Meghan holding Lilibet’s hand while Archie hugged Harry. The children’s signature red hair, inherited from their father, stole hearts once again — even inspiring Harry’s famous joke: “The ginger gene is a strong one!”
From romance to family bliss, Meghan’s 2016-to-2026 reflection proves some love stories only grow stronger with time.