Prince Harry Was First to Say 'I Love You' to Meghan Markle — 3 Months Into Secret Relationship

"Almost immediately they were almost obsessed with each other," a friend of Meghan and Prince Harry said in the new book Finding Freedom

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's whirlwind romance was swift from the start.

A new excerpt from the upcoming book Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family appeared in the U.K. newspaper The Times on Monday, detailing the beginning of their relationship — from their first date to exchanging "I love you's."

Meghan and Harry's blind date took place at Soho House's Dean Street Townhouse in London. A source told authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand that the future Duke and Duchess of Sussex chatted over drinks for nearly three hours. The night ended with each going their separate ways without a kiss.

"Almost immediately they were almost obsessed with each other," a friend told the authors. "It was as if Harry was in a trance."

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Dan Kitwood/Getty

Meghan and Prince Harry returned to the same spot for dinner the following night, sneaking into a staff entrance and being waited on by one staff member to ensure privacy.

"Harry knew they would be together at that point," the friend said. "She was ticking every box."

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Chris Jackson/Getty

The couple met again the following night, when Meghan took a taxi to a staff entrance at Kensington Palace to visit Harry at his cottage. Prince Harry took Meghan on a romantic camping trip to Botswana six weeks later, leaving the Suits star "completely spellbound," according to a friend.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock

Three months into their relationship, which included secret dates and flights across the Atlantic Ocean between Meghan's Toronto home and Harry's base in London, Prince Harry was first to tell Meghan "I love you." She immediately replied, "I love you too."

Archie, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Samir Hussein/WireImage

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The book explores the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's journey, starting from the early days of their fast-moving romance and culminating in their decision to step down as senior members of the royal family and move to Los Angeles with son Archie.

A spokesperson for Meghan and Harry previously said in a statement, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not interviewed and did not contribute to Finding Freedom. This book is based on the authors’ own experiences as members of the royal press corps and their own independent reporting.”