Prince Harry Reveals Meghan Markle’s Patriotic Surprise on Their Second Date

There’s a romantic reason that the Fourth of July is a special day for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

It was fireworks for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on their second date.

When Harry, now 39, and Meghan, now 42, met in the summer of 2016, their first date went so well that they arranged to meet up again the following day: the Fourth of July.

Prince Harry recalled in his memoir, Spare, “She walked in, wearing a pretty blue sundress with white pinstripes. She was aglow. I stood and said: ‘I bear gifts.’ A pink box. I held it forward. She shook it. ‘What’s this?’ “

“She opened the box,” he continued. “Cupcakes. Red, white and blue cupcakes, to be exact. In honor of Independence Day. I said something about the Brits having a very different view of Independence Day from the Yanks, but oh, well.”

At the time, Prince Harry lived in the U.K. while California-born Meghan was based in Canada, where she filmed the show Suits. But King Charles’ son insisted they give the relationship a “proper go” — and the rest is history.

After marrying in May 2018 and settling into life as working members of the royal family, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex decided to step back from their royal roles in 2020. After spending time in Vancouver Island and then Tyler Perry’s Los Angeles residence, Meghan and Prince Harry bought a California home in the Montecito neighborhood of Santa Barbara. They have lived there ever since with their children, 5-year-old son Prince Archie and 3-year-old daughter Princess Lilibet.

The Duke of Sussex was interviewed by Good Morning America‘s Will Reeve in February during the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025’s One Year to Go celebration in Canada. When Reeve asked how Harry was enjoying life in California, Prince Harry shared he had thought about becoming a U.S. citizen.

He clarified, “American citizenship is a thought that has crossed my mind but certainly not something that is a high priority for me right now.”

When Reeve asked Prince Harry if he was enjoying life in the U.S., the Duke of Sussex replied, “It’s amazing. I love every single day.”

However, he stopped short of confirming that he felt “American.”

“Do I feel American? Um, no. I don’t know how I feel,” the Duke of Sussex said.

During the couple’s 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Harry opened up about their move to California.

“To have outdoor space where I can go for walks with Archie and we go for walks as a family and with the dogs. You know, we go on hikes or go down to the beach, which is so close,” he said.

Prince Harry played polo at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, and he’s mastered his In-N-Out Burger order (“two double-doubles, animal style, fries and a Coke!”). He’s also checked out the Super Bowl when it came to California in 2022, and Meghan and Harry were spotted at a Los Angeles Lakers game in April 2023.

Meghan’s friend and makeup artist Daniel Martin previously told PEOPLE, “Harry has definitely found his vibe and is very settled in California. But he does miss home.”