Royal Romance: British Prince Harry to marry Meghan at Windsor Castle

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Britain's Prince Harry will marry his American fiancee Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle on Saturday. CGTN's Kate Parkinson takes a look back at their whirlwind romance.

It's a love story that has all the makings of a modern-day fairytale. Prince Harry, the fun-loving playboy prince, sixth in line to the British throne and one of the world's most eligible bachelors. Or at least he was until he met Meghan Markle, an American actress, humanitarian activist and proud feminist who on Saturday will become his wife.

The pair were set up by a mutual friend in 2016 and dated in secret for months, before announcing their engagement in November last year. But every fairy tale has a villain and for Harry and Meghan it is the media. When the story broke about the royal romance the press pounced.

Markle, a divorced, biracial American actress, is not a traditional wife by royal standards and the British tabloids, renowned for filling their pages with gossip and sleaze, have not been kind to her.

Prince Harry has been so outraged over the coverage he released an unprecedented statement accusing the press and social media trolls of sexist and racial abuse.

According to those who know the prince, his antipathy towards the media stems from the death of his mother, Princess Diana, who was killed in a car crash while she was being chased by paparazzi.

Prince Harry was just 12 at the time. Markle's family has also been hounded by the media.

Her father, who lives a quiet life in Mexico, has been a favourite punching bag for the tabloids and with just days to go before the big day, the media harassment and exploitation reached a point where he was reportedly too embarrassed to attend his daughter's wedding.

Markle's estranged half-sister said he had faced unbelievable stress and was also undergoing heart surgery. While the tabloids have been hostile to Harry's new love, the same could not be said for the royal family which has welcomed her with open arms.

The Queen is said to be delighted that her grandson is so happy and reportedly gave her approval for the two to wed without hesitation. And while 'happily ever after' might not make for good headlines, this very modern royal romance does usher in the hope of a monarchy that's more in tune with the times. Kate Parkinson, CGTN, London.