Prince Harry recalls ‘painfully awkward’ first date with Cressida Bonas

Cressida and Harry, pictured in 2017, dated at university before rekindling their romance following their split from Prince Harry

Harry Wentworth-Stanley, Associate Director at estate agents Savills, is the son of Nick Wentworth-Stanley, a laid-back Old Etonian, and Clare, now Marchioness of Milford Haven, who acquired the title after her second marriage to Harry’s stepfather, the Marquess of Milford Haven.

Before his relationship with his now-wife became official, Harry, who is stunningly handsome and 6ft 4in tall, was considered one of the most eligible bachelors in London.

He inherited his looks from his mother, Clare, a beauty who remains stunning. There was a brother, James, four years his senior, and a younger sister, Louisa. When Harry was a child, his mother and father divorced. In 1997 Clare married George, Marquess of Milford Haven, a cousin of the Queen who was himself divorced and had two children.

The family settled in Great Trippetts, an estate set in 1,000 acres on the Sussex Downs. Life was perfect for a while. Clare was on good terms with her former husband, Nick Wentworth-Stanley, who later married Dutch beauty Millie Brenninkmeyer, with whom he had three more children.

Just before Christmas 2006, the Marquess and Marchioness moved with their children to live with Nick and his wife in Worcestershire. James, Harry’s older brother, was recovering from a relatively minor surgery. The operation was a success, but James had become very restless in the days that followed.

Harry Wentworth-Stanley, Associate Director at estate agents Savills, is the son of Nick Wentworth-Stanley, a laid-back Old Etonian, and Clare, now Marchioness of Milford Haven, who acquired the title after her second marriage to Harry’s stepfather, the Marquess of Milford Haven. Pictured, the Marquis and Marquise in 2017

One evening the family discovered that James had taken his own life. They were shaken by the tragedy.

Clare was stunned by her son’s suicide. Touchingly, it was then 17-year-old Harry who helped her. She said in an interview 18 months after James’ death: “For the sake of the other children you have to set an example. If you are strong, it gives them permission to be strong. If you fall to pieces, they will.

Harry’s father is Nick Wentworth-Stanley, pictured, an easygoing Old Etonian

“The day after James died, his brother Harry said his biggest fear was that it would destroy me, and that would destroy everything else. It suddenly made me feel like I was important.’

The family established James’ Place, a suicide prevention charity for men in his memory, which now has centers in London and Liverpool.

The couple had a serious relationship when they were both students at Leeds University. The pair were known to their audience as “watercress” for reasons that aren’t entirely clear. The romance died down when he left for Argentina for a gap year after graduating in 2011.

Friends have previously said Cressida wasn’t quite over Harry when another Harry – Prince Harry himself – started stalking her and began a romance in the summer of 2012. There were concerts, rugby matches, ski trips and cozy nights at Kensington Palace.

However, the couple split in 2014 after three years together.

The following year, Harry Wentworth-Stanley and Cressida were photographed on a Valentine’s Day date, although their relationship became public and official in 2017.

In August last year, Harry proposed during a trip to the US and the couple’s smiles in the Instagram announcement told followers everything they needed to know about their love for one another.

Harry as a young boy with his stepfather, Marquess of Milford Haven (left), sister Louise (front), mother Clare (centre), the Marquess’ brother Lord Ivar Mouthbatten, his children Ella and Alix and then wife Penny (right). Cowdray Park in 2001