They are, we are told, a couple who guard their family's privacy intently.

But the Duchess of Sussex has clearly made an exception for the seventh anniversary of her wedding to Prince Harry.

Meghan, 43, yesterday shared an extraordinary photo montage on Instagram featuring treasured – and, at times, highly personal – family pictures charting their 'love story'. 

One image on the pinboard features her pregnancy bump, while another shows the couple's son, Prince Archie, kissing his sister, Princess Lilibet. 

Other scenes show the family on various holidays, painting in the garden of their €13million Montecito mansion – and even Archie in the womb.

Meghan's post was accompanied by the Proclaimers tune I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) and the caption: 'Seven years of marriage. A lifetime of stories.

'Thanks to all of you (whether by our side, or from afar) who have loved and supported us throughout our love story – we appreciate you. Happy anniversary!'

Meghan often used to make montages when she was working as an actress and running a lifestyle blog. 

Her latest one charts the couple's relationship from when they met on a blind date in London in 2016 – where they took a candid selfie – their second date on a trip to Botswana spotting elephants, and a trip the following year to see the Northern Lights in Norway.

It then moves to the couple's engagement and wedding – including, controversially, given the couple's acrimonious departure from the royal family, a drawing of Meghan's coat of arms.

Several private family images include a sonogram of Archie in the womb, and Harry gazing down at him after his birth in May 2019.

Others show them on the beach at Norfolk with their dogs, smiling over a birthday cake, and on trips as working royals including in Morocco. 

The action then moves to their present-day life in California. 

Several notes are written on the board in Meghan's distinctive cursive script, including the lyrics to Ben E King's Stand By Me, which was played at their wedding.

Another pinned note says 'love wins' – a phrase the pair have often used about their relationship to signify their battles against their perceived enemies.