Good Morning Britain’s Piers Morgan recalls boozy ‘date’ night at the pub with Meghan Markle – where she downed three Dirty Martinis
GOOD Morning Britain's Piers Morgan let slip his boozy "date" night in a London pub with Prince Harry's fiancee Meghan Markle - before insisting he "drove" her into the arms of her future husband.
Yesterday, it was announced the smitten couple are engaged to be married in Spring 2018, after they started dating in October last year.
Bold 52-year-old Piers wasted no time opening up on their 90 minutes together in his local watering hole after revealing their friendship had been sparked when he followed the actress on Twitter.
He said the Royal-to-be downed THREE Dirty Martinis, made with vodka, as he sipped pints and debated US President Donald Trump.
Piers is a lover of Suits - the Canadian-based TV drama in which Meghan starred - and he said she told him she was a "big fan" of his work when they made friends online.
After a year spend trading "funny images" on the social media site they met in person when Meghan travelled to London to watch Wimbledon.
He told today's ITV breakfast show: "She said 'I'm in town, do you want to meet up?'
"I said yes - come to my local pub for a pint.
"It was very funny, there were five locals and talk about eyes popping when she came in.
"She had Dirty Martinis - the vodka ones - and I had a couple of pints."
He later went on to describe how she had three of the tipples and was a "lovely, normal" girl yet had revealed she was having man issues from a persistent date, and struggling to get used to the dating scene.
Cheeky Piers then outlined how Meghan was headed to a private members club after - shortly before press reports suggested she met the Prince in a similar venue.
The gleeful former TV journalist gushed: "I put Meghan Markle into an Uber and to the arms of Prince Harry.
"I don't expect an invite to the wedding.
"I drove her to your arms your Highness - so is it too much to ask?"
After ranting on about his role in their impending nuptials, Piers' co-host Susanna Reid quipped: "And we the nation are grateful!"
On November 27, it was announced by the Prince of Wales that Prince Harry is engaged to marry Meghan Markle.
The happy tweet came from the Clarence House account.
Clarence House is the London residence of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, meaning the announcement was made on the behalf of Harry's dad.
It reads: "His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms Meghan Markle and engaged to be married.
"The wedding will take place in Spring 2018. Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course.
"His Royal Highness and Ms Markle became engaged in London earlier this month...
"The couple will live in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace."
In a statement from Prince Charles, it was revealed that Harry proposed earlier in November, and sought and received the blessing of Meghan's parents.
How Harry and Meghan's romance blossomed
May - October 2016: 'Besotted' Harry meets his future princess
May 2, 2016 - It is not known exactly when Prince Harry first met the Suits actress but he travelled to Toronto, where Meghan Markle lives to launch the countdown to the Invictus Games. The pair are then believed to have been introduced through friends in London in July last year and started seeing eachother.
Oct 30, 2016 - News of their relationship broke and the prince was described as 'besotted' with the actress. A source described Harry as "happier than he's been for many years".
November 2016 - January 2017: Protective prince defends new love
Nov 8, 2016 - In an unprecedented statement, Harry attacked the media over its "abuse and harassment" of his girlfriend. He claimed Meghan had experienced racism and sexism and even attempts by members of the press to get into her home.
Nov 11, 2016 - Three days later Ms Markle was spotted in London amid unconfirmed reports she was stay at Kensington Palace for the first time.
Dec 6, 2016 - Harry flew straight from his Caribbean tour to Toronto to be with Ms Markle, making a 1,700-mile (2,736 km) detour instead of flying to London.
Dec 13, 2016 - The couple were buying a Christmas tree together in Battersea Park. The tree seller described the pair as "totally happy, cute, couple-y - but not overly mushy and gross".
February 2017 - June 2017: First public kiss and meeting the family
Feb 2, 2017 - Harry and Meghan were spotted holding hands on a date night in London amid claims she had "virtually moved in" with the prince at his two-bedroom bachelor pad Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace.
May 7, 2017 - The couple were photographed kissing in public for the first time at Cowarth Park polo club in Ascot, Berkshire, and just days later she joined Harry at Pippa Middleton's wedding reception.
July 2017 - November 2017: Wedding rumours and engagement announced
July 8 - Meghan was reported to have been spotted trying on wedding dresses, sending rumours of an impending engagement into overdrive.
Sep 5 - Ms Markle graced the cover of US magazine Vanity Fair and spoke openly about Harry for the first time, revealing: ''We're two people who are really happy and in love.''
Sep 25, 2017 - Just days later they appeared hand-in hand at their first official public appearance together at Invictus's wheelchair tennis.
Nov 27, 2017 - After weeks of speculation, Clarence House announced the engagement, and the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh say they are "delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness."
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