Prince Harry says the secret to his romance with Meghan Markle was dating in reverse

It's not about splashing the cash or big nights out on the town

Prince Harry has revealed his secret for romantic success: dating in reverse.

Most couples begin with dates out and about, before settling down into a more sedate routine in front of the sofa

But the high-profile nature of Prince Harry and his new fiancee Meghan Markle meant that their initial courtship had to happen behind closed doors, before progressing to meals and drinks around town.

The 33-year-old says this is his simple recipe for building a strong relationship, and urged others to follow his lead.

He said: “If anybody else at home - maybe slow down on the dates and spend more time at home.

"For us it's an opportunity to get to know each other without people on their mobile phones."

That’s right, wooing like a prince doesn’t involve expensive gifts and pricey getaways, it’s all about cosy suppers on the sofa in front of your favourite box set.

The Prince charming said: "We've had to reverse the whole process, cosy nights in together in front of the television, cooking dinner a lot in our cottage rather than going out for dinner.

"It's provided different opportunities and made us a hell of a lot closer without question."

The loved-up couple have said that they plan to start a family "in the near future", and revealed that Prince Harry popped the question after getting down on one knee while he roasted chicken.