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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Paige Freshwater

Harry and Meghan spent first married Valentine's Day apart and he had to make up for it

Although most couples try to celebrate Valentine's Day together, it doesn't always work out that way as work commitments often get in the way. Prince Harry spent his first Valentine's Day as a married man 700-miles away from wife Meghan Markle - but tried to make up for his absence it in later years.

The Duke of Sussex embarked on a journey from Britain to Norway in 2019 to meet Royal Marines training in Arctic conditions. His trip marked the 50th anniversary of the Commando Helicopter Force and Joint Helicopter Command, deployed to the base for extreme cold weather training. But while he didn't have Meghan by his side on Cupid's favourite day, the Marines at Bardufoss had decorated a makeshift igloo – called a Quincey shelter – with candles and pictures of the royal wedding in honour of his visit.

Harry and Meghan with their children Archie and Lilibet (EPN/Newscom / Avalon)
Harry and Meghan's daughter Lilibet on her first birthday last year (Misan Harriman/Duke and Duchess of Sussex HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Meghan has previously confessed her love for Valentine's Day, saying she "immerses" herself in the joy of it all.

Writing on her now-closed lifestyle blog, The Tig, in 2015, Meghan said: "Hook, line and sinker, I am such a sucker for Valentine's Day.

"Without fail, every February 14, I wake up feeling like I'm immersed in a Robert Doisneau photo, waiting with bated breath to be dipped into a kiss.

"This is all happening in black and white, of course."

To make up for spending their first Valentine's Day as a married couple apart, they announced Meghan's pregnancy with Lilibet on Valentine's Day in 2021.

Speaking at the time, a spokesman for the couple said: "We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child."

Harry and Meghan's daughter is seventh in line to the throne (Netflix)

Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, known as Lili, was born in California, America, on 4 June 2021 - and is seventh in line to the throne.

The one-year-old and her brother Archie were given starring roles in the royal couple's highly anticipated Netflix show, showing viewers how the Sussex children have grown since the family stepped away from the media spotlight.

Fans were unsure if they would get a glimpse of the youngsters but were treated to a few adorable scenes in the first three episodes of the six-part series.

There are countless home videos of Archie and Lili out on walks with their proud parents, as well as a gorgeous snap of Archie on his first birthday with proud grandma Doria Ragland.

Other snaps show Harry pushing his children in prams and a fun video of him and Archie rolling around their home on a suitcase.

Speaking about his children, Harry tells the camera: "As a dad, and as parents, I think consent is a really key piece to this. That if you have children, it should be your consent to what you share."

Meghan later adds: "We've been really conscious of protecting our kids as best we can and also understanding the role they play in this really historical family."

In the third episode of the show, Meghan reveals Archie's favourite song is Bennie And The Jets by Sir Elton John, a close friend of the couple.

Harry also speaks about the fact his children are mixed race, saying: "My son, my daughter, my children are mixed race, and I'm really proud of that.

"When my kids grow up, and they look back at this moment, and they turn to me and say 'What did you do in this moment?' I want to be able to give them an answer.

"I think it is such a responsibility as human beings that, if you bring a small person into this world, that you should be doing everything you can to make the world a better place for them.

"But, equally, what's most important for the two of us is to make sure that we don't repeat the same mistakes that perhaps our parents made."

Do you have a story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.

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