Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement in November 2017 marked one of the most memorable moments in recent royal history. The announcement from Kensington Palace confirmed that the couple would marry in the spring of 2018, and their wedding was later held on May 19, 2018, at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. The ceremony was broadcast worldwide and watched by millions of people across different time zones, symbolizing both tradition and change within the British royal family.
While many recall the official photographs and interviews that followed the engagement, Meghan recently shared a candid and personal story from the night Prince Harry proposed—one that shows the more relatable side of royal life.
Meghan Shares a Personal Story on Netflix
In August 2025, season two of Meghan Markle’s Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, premiered on the platform. The show, which explores cooking, wellness, and personal reflections, has become a space where Meghan opens up about her experiences beyond the public image of a duchess.
During the fourth episode of the new season, Meghan sat down with chef Samin Nosrat, author of the bestselling book Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, to discuss food, family traditions, and meaningful meals. It was in this conversation that Meghan revealed a lighthearted story about the night Harry proposed.
A Roast Chicken Gone Wrong
According to Meghan, she had decided to prepare a roast chicken for dinner on the evening of their engagement. Cooking, she explained, had been a source of comfort for her, but at that time she was still adjusting to life in the United Kingdom—including differences in temperature measurements between Celsius and Fahrenheit.
She admitted with humor: “I will say when I made a roast chicken for my now-husband, I was still having a lot of challenges with the conversion of Celsius and Fahrenheit. I made a horrible chicken that night. I mean, truly terrible.”
The Duchess’s candid confession highlighted how even on one of the most significant nights of her life, the meal itself did not go as planned.
The Sentiment Behind the Gesture
Despite the culinary mishap, Meghan explained that the evening remained deeply meaningful. She emphasized that the effort and thought behind preparing the meal mattered more than the result. “The point is you can make a terrible chicken and someone is still going to appreciate the thought,” she told Nosrat during the episode.
This reflection resonated with viewers who saw in it a universal truth: relationships are built on intention, care, and shared moments—not perfection.
Cooking as a Shared Passion
Food has played a recurring role in Meghan and Harry’s public story. In their first joint interview after announcing their engagement, Harry mentioned that the proposal took place during what he called a “cozy night” at their Nottingham Cottage home in the grounds of Kensington Palace, while they were “trying to roast a chicken.” Meghan’s recent Netflix revelation adds another layer of detail to that narrative.
Over the years, Meghan has frequently spoken about her love of cooking. Before joining the royal family, she ran a lifestyle blog called The Tig, which often featured recipes and reflections on dining. After becoming Duchess of Sussex, she supported community-focused food projects, including the charity cookbook Together: Our Community Cookbook, created in collaboration with women affected by the Grenfell Tower fire in London.
The roast chicken story, then, is not just about a meal gone wrong—it reflects how food has been a connecting thread in Meghan’s personal and public life.
The Engagement Night in Context
Prince Harry proposed to Meghan in November 2017, giving her a ring that carried deep symbolic meaning. The ring was designed with two diamonds from the collection of his late mother, Princess Diana, alongside a larger stone from Botswana, a country significant to the couple’s relationship.
The couple later described the moment as intimate, simple, and deeply personal. Meghan’s admission years later about the dinner mishap offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the same evening, making the historical moment feel more human and relatable.
From Mishap to Tradition
During her Netflix conversation, Meghan mentioned that she has since perfected the roast chicken dish and now makes it regularly—sometimes once a week. What was once a “truly terrible” meal has become a favorite in the Sussex household, symbolizing growth, learning, and humor in the face of imperfection.
Food experts, including Samin Nosrat, noted during the episode that mistakes in the kitchen are often what lead to better cooking skills over time. Meghan’s story illustrated that principle perfectly.
Why This Story Resonates
The Duchess of Sussex’s admission struck a chord with many viewers because it showed vulnerability and authenticity. While members of the royal family are often seen through a lens of formality, Meghan’s willingness to laugh at herself and share a personal mistake reflects a broader trend of public figures connecting with audiences through relatability.
In the digital age, where curated images often dominate social media, moments of honesty can build stronger trust and engagement. Meghan’s story of a failed roast chicken—told years after her engagement—adds dimension to her public persona as both a duchess and a relatable individual who has had to navigate challenges, big and small.
Looking Ahead
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continue to share aspects of their lives through projects such as their Netflix partnership, public speaking, and charitable initiatives. Their content often blends personal reflection with broader themes of mental health, community support, and wellness.
With Love, Meghan offers audiences a chance to see the Duchess in a different light—one that emphasizes food, family, and the everyday joys and challenges that connect people across cultures and backgrounds.
As for the roast chicken story, it serves as a reminder that even monumental nights can have small imperfections, and that those imperfections often make memories more meaningful.
Conclusion
The night of Prince Harry’s proposal to Meghan Markle was a turning point in both their lives and in modern royal history. While official photographs and interviews captured the public side of the event, Meghan’s lighthearted confession about her “truly terrible” roast chicken adds a personal layer that many can relate to.
Her candid reflection, shared during her Netflix series, shows that behind the royal titles are two people building a life together, filled with moments of humor, imperfection, and love.
By sharing such stories, Meghan continues to bridge the gap between her public role and private experiences, offering audiences worldwide a glimpse of authenticity. In the end, the story of the engagement night is not about a perfect meal—it is about the values of effort, care, and connection that endure long after the food is forgotten.