Prince Harry will tie the knot with his American actress girlfriend Meghan Markle, Clarence House confirmed on Monday.
According to a Clarence House statement, the wedding will take place in Spring 2018 and further details about the wedding day would be announced in due course.
The statement further added that the couple were engaged in London earlier this month and Prince Harry has informed The Queen and other close members of his family. The prince also sought and received the blessing of Meghan Markle’s parents.
The couple will reside in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace.
The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle. pic.twitter.com/zdaHR4mcY6
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) November 27, 2017
Speculation has been rife that Harry was about to propose to his 36-year-old girlfriend, best known for her role as a lawyer in the hit television show “Suits”.
Reports that Markle was moving her two beloved dogs — Guy and Bogart — to London further fueled rumours of the first royal wedding since William and Kate in 2011.
Markle’s parents Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland said in a statement they were “incredibly happy” and wished the couple “a lifetime of happiness.”
“Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person,” they said. “To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for us as parents.”
‘Huge celebration’
Wellwishers gathered outside Buckingham Palace, including Donna, 46, who called the news “amazing”.
“I think it’s great because he looks very happy, it´s great for him,” she told AFP.
“It says a lot for the royal family, younger people are interested, and more people care about the royal family, they feel that both of the sons are much more down with the people.”
Harry, son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, spent 10 years in the British army, serving two tours of duty in Afghanistan, but hit the headlines for his partying and his outspoken criticism of the media, whom he blames for the death of his mother.
However, he has since turned himself into one of the royal family´s greatest assets after defining a role for himself as a caring but robust champion of veterans.
William and Kate said they were “very excited for Harry and Meghan.”
“It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together,” said the couple.
Harry and Meghan are believed to have met in May 2016, and the relationship was formalised by Kensington Palace, which handles communication for Prince Harry, following speculation in the press.
Exasperated by the media frenzy, the palace released a statement attacking the “sexism” and “racism” that Meghan Markle, who is of mixed race, faced in the social media and the press.
Prime Minister Theresa May offered her “warmest congratulations” to the couple upon their engagement.
“This is a time of huge celebration for two people in love,” she wrote on her official Twitter page.”
“On behalf of myself, the government and the country, I wish them great happiness for the future.” (AFP)
