Inside Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas' Relationship: Uncovering the Untold Story
Explore the romantic journey of Prince Harry and actress Cressida Bonas, from their introduction by Princess Eugenie to their bittersweet breakup Follow their relationship timeline through the ups and downs, and discover where they are now
Prince Harry dated Cressida Bonas for two years before meeting his current wife, Meghan Markle. The couple was introduced by Harry's cousin, Princess Eugenie, in 2012, and they began a romantic relationship. In his memoir titled "Spare," which was published in January 2023, the Duke of Sussex recounted an uncomfortable moment from their first date.
"I went in for a kiss, but missed the mark," he recounted. "On the second attempt as she turned, we barely grazed each other's lips." After confiding in his cousin Eugenie about the awkward encounter, Harry was surprised to find out that Bonas had already spilled the beans.
Fortunately, Harry received some positive news when he learned that Cressida was willing to give it another shot.
The couple went on to date for an additional two years following their underwhelming first kiss. In the book Spare, the CIO of BetterUp shared a touching memory of the actress from Bye Bye Man helping him to grieve the loss of his mother, Princess Diana, years after her tragic death in a car accident at the age of 36. During a ski trip to Kazakhstan in 2014, Harry's girlfriend at the time approached the subject of Diana with a perfect balance of curiosity and empathy, causing him to break down in tears while speaking about his beloved mother.
He expressed in his writing that the moment of vulnerability was significant as it was the first time he had shed tears for his mother since her funeral. He went on to explain that his mother had been the one to guide him through such emotional moments and the experience brought them closer together, fostering a deep sense of gratitude. However, despite feeling grateful for the support he received from Bonas, the prince ended their relationship shortly after their trip.
According to Harry, their 2014 breakup was characterized by strong affection and loyalty, but not an enduring love. He noted that Bonas had always been upfront about not wanting to deal with the pressures of being a royal. When he informed her of his decision to end things, she didn't seem surprised and even acknowledged that she had been contemplating the same. As they parted ways, Harry couldn't help but feel regretful as he watched her cry and realized that she had been there for him during his own moments of vulnerability.
After their love story ended, the exes managed to maintain a cordial relationship. Bonas even graced Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018, dressed in an elegant bespoke Eponine London gown and a charming pink feathered fascinator. As for herself, the actress tied the knot with Harry Wentworth-Stanley in 2020, and the couple welcomed their son Wilbur in 2022. Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan have their own family, with son Archie and daughter Lilibet, born in 2019 and 2021, respectively.
Keep scrolling for a look at Harry and Bonas’ relationship over the years:
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Prince Harry and Ex-Girlfriend Cressida Bonas: The Way They Were
Prince Harry had a two-year relationship with Cressida Bonas before meeting his current wife, Meghan Markle. The couple was introduced by Harry's cousin, Princess Eugenie, in 2012, and they started dating soon after. In his memoir, Spare, which was released in January 2023, the Duke of Sussex recounted an uncomfortable moment from their first date.
"I leaned in to plant a kiss on her, but my coordination failed me," he penned. "She pivoted, and on my second attempt, we achieved a mere brush of lips." After Harry shared his kissing mishap with Eugenie, he discovered that Bonas had already spilled the beans to their cousin.
"However, there was a silver lining," Harry added. "Cressida was willing to give it another go."
They continued their relationship for two more years after their unimpressive first kiss. In the book Spare, BetterUp's CIO recounts how the actress who played the Bye Bye Man supported him during the mourning of his mother, Princess Diana, years after her tragic death in a car crash at the age of 36 in August 1997. While on a ski trip to Kazakhstan in 2014, Harry's girlfriend at the time showed a perfect mix of curiosity and empathy when asking about Diana, causing him to break down in tears as he answered her.
"He was deeply moved by the intimate moment and finally allowed himself to cry about his mother's passing, something he had not been able to do since her burial," the prince wrote. He acknowledged that his former girlfriend was the first person to help him through this emotional barrier and enable him to release his tears. This experience brought them closer together and created a sense of gratitude that was absent in previous relationships. However, despite feeling indebted to her, the prince ended his relationship with Bonas shortly after the vacation.
During their 2014 split, Harry reflected on the deep loyalty and affection he shared with Bonas, but acknowledged that their love wasn't everlasting. He revealed that Bonas had always been upfront about not wanting to deal with the pressures of being a member of the royal family. When Harry expressed his desire to end things, Bonas didn't seem surprised. In fact, she had been thinking about it too. "I've learned so much from you, Cress," he told her as she nodded and tears streamed down her face. Harry couldn't help but feel guilty for making her cry, knowing that she had helped him through his own tears in the past.
Despite their love story coming to an end, it appears that the former couple have managed to maintain a positive relationship. Bonas was in attendance at Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018, dressed in a custom-made Eponine London gown and a stylish pink feathered fascinator. As for Bonas, she tied the knot with Harry Wentworth-Stanley in 2020 and the two recently welcomed their son, Wilbur, into the world. Harry and Meghan, on the other hand, have two children together – son Archie and daughter Lilibet, who were born in 2019 and 2021, respectively.
Keep scrolling for a look at Harry and Bonas’ relationship over the years:
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2012
The duo started dating after Harry’s cousin Eugenie introduced them.
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2013
The pair attended the Glastonbury Festival together in July.
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2014
While on a ski trip in Kazakhstan in March, Harry confided in Bonas about his mother's passing and found himself shedding tears in her presence. In his book, Spare, he reflects on how important this moment was for him and how it deepened their connection. "She was the first person to break down that emotional barrier and help me release those tears. It was a cathartic experience that brought us even closer and filled me with immense gratitude," he shares.
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2014
We confirmed in April that Harry and Bonas had split after two years of dating.
"It's very sad that they have decided to split. It's very amicable, but they have decided to go their separate ways,” a Bonas family source told Us at the time.
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2015
According to an insider who spoke exclusively with Us in September, Bonas has no interest in rekindling her romance with the royal. The source revealed that she no longer sees him in that way and that their relationship is firmly in the past.
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2017
In a recent interview with BBC’s Woman’s Hour radio show, Bonas revealed her struggle with being labeled as a former royal girlfriend and how it affected her acting career.
"People in this country are too eager to label or stereotype others and assume that they can only be defined by one aspect of their identity," she expressed. "It's extremely exasperating."
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2018
"I recently had the honor of attending the royal wedding of Harry and Meghan. As per the invitation instructions, hats were mandatory attire for guests. With a sense of trepidation, I carefully selected a subtle feathered hat, hoping it was appropriate for the occasion," she shared in a column for The Spectator.
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2023
Harry shared insight into the pair’s relationship in his memoir, Spare, recounting their “painfully awkward” first kiss and their split.
He expressed that despite their strong bond and devotion to each other, he realized their love was not meant to last during a ski trip to Kazakhstan in 2014. The former military pilot acknowledged that his former partner had always been clear about not wanting to take on the pressures of being a member of the royal family, and he wasn't sure if he wanted to ask her to do so. This realization had been lingering for some time but became crystal clear during their time on the slopes. Ultimately, he came to the conclusion that their relationship was not sustainable.
