It all started back in 2016...

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Prince Harry met Meghan Markle met when they were set up by a mutual friend who thought the pair would hit it off.

And their friend's hunch was apparently right...

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Because the pair most definitely hit it off and they immediately arranged to see each other again, eventually going on to have 2 more dates in London.

And, in 2017, after a couple of months of privacy...

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The pair officially went public with their relationship.

Meghan was instantly catapulted into the royal spotlight.

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Though she was already pretty well known for her role as Rachel Zane in Suits, the California-born actress was thrown into levels of fame that she had never experienced before.

The world quickly became Harry and Meghan obsessed...

And people were delighted to hear the news of their engagement later that year.

And, not ones to waste any time...

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The couple officially tied the knot in May 2018.

It was the most beautiful of days...

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And millions of people from all around the world tuned in to see the couple say their "I do's".

Not long after the wedding, the newly appointed Duke and Duchess of Sussex had some more exciting news...

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They were expecting! On October 15th, 2018, the couple announced their pregnancy.

And, on May 6th, 2019...

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Archie Mountbatten-Windsor was welcomed into the world.

Harry, Meghan, and baby Archie make for the cutest little family.

But things haven't been as rosy and smooth-sailing as they have been appearing.

Meghan hasn't had the easiest time during her transition into the royal family...

Joining the British royal family was never going to be easy, given that a person has to give up their entire life in order to be a part of the monarchy. But Meghan's experience has been especially difficult.

Many dedicated royalists weren't happy to see an American woman of colour in the monarchy...

And many attacked the Duchess, slamming her as "fake," with some going as far as accusing her of breaking up the royal family entirely.

She has also been relentlessly attacked by the press...

To the point where Kensington Palace was forced to issue a statement, pleading for the press and the public alike to take a step back when it comes to their scathing reporting and bombardment of Meghan.

But, this year, the couple have seemingly had enough of the harassment and the criticism...

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Because back in January, they announced that they would be officially stepping down as senior members of the royal family.

They made the announcement on their joint Instagram page, Sussex Royal.

“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen," the post read.

The couple plan on providing a more "normal" upbringing for Archie...

And they announced that they will be splitting their time between the U.K. and North America. “This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity," they wrote.

This was huge news...

And, obviously, it ruffled a couple of feathers in Buckingham Palace.

But what many people have failed to take into consideration...

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Is how hard this whole experience must have been for Meghan - a new mother.

Despite receiving hate from some social media users, the majority just want what's best for the couple.

That includes baby Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor - You couldn't make up a more royal-sounding name if you tried.

In May, Archie celebrated his first birthday...

And what a year it has been!

The royals are currently spending their lockdown in Los Angeles...

Which means they're far away from many of their close family members back in the U.K.

But that didn't stop the tributes from pouring in...

These pictures of Archie were too adorable for words.

Then Charles and Camilla offered their "happy birthday"...

With another adorable throwback photo.

The proud parents even shared their own birthday video!

Harry recorded a video of Meghan reading to Archie who, as most mischievous 1-year-olds do, was excitably squirming and giggling in her lap.

The video was insanely cute...

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And Meghan looked confident and content in her role as a mother as she enthusiastically read a story to Archie.

The little prince seems to be doing well...

But there's no denying that he is missing out on quality time with his grandparents and, of course, his great-grandmother - Her Majesty the Queen.

The Queen has only met her great-grandson a handful of times...

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And now that baby Archie is going to spending his time in L.A for the foreseeable future, who knows when the pair will reunite.

Well, according to royal experts, it may be possible that the Queen may never see Archie again. Ever.

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Her Majesty is set to travel to Scotland next month with Prince Phillip and the rest of the royal gang for a family holiday - but Harry and Meghan aren't going to be attending.

Harry and Meghan were invited of course, but it seems that the invitation was declined.

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Writing in The Telegraph, royal expert Camilla Tominey explained it was "highly unlikely" they would journey from Los Angeles to Scotland, writing: "Some are beginning to question when – or indeed if – the Queen and Prince Philip will see Archie, their youngest great-grandchild, again."

This isn't the first time the couple have turned down an invitation made by the Queen...

Last September, the Queen was said to have been "disappointed" when Meghan and Harry turned down her invitation to Balmoral due to them being "too busy" and Archie being "too young."

At the end of the day, family is family...

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And it's important to not leave them behind. For more on the royals, keep on reading to find out about Meghan's "secret diary" that could spill some home truths about life in Buckingham Palace...