Britain’s Prince Harry is to marry his American actress girlfriend Meghan Markle, after they got engaged earlier this month, according to an official announcement on Monday. Harry, fifth in line to the British throne, is engaged to Markle, confirming months of rumours that the couple was close to tying the knot. Markle a mixed-race American raised in California, an outspoken full-time actress, and a divorcee makes a surprising addition to Britain’s monarchy.
“The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle,” Clarence House said in a statement on behalf of Harry’s father Prince Charles. “The wedding will take place in spring 2018. Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course,” it adds.
The announcement confirms that the couple had got engaged earlier this month and that the 33-year-old Harry had informed Queen Elizabeth II of his intention to marry Markle. “Prince Harry has also sought and received the blessing of Markle’s parents. The couple will live in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace,” Clarence House said.
Harry has been dating 36-year-old Markle since July 2016 and there has been increasing speculation of a wedding in the New Year ever since the actress moved her dogs to the UK from her Canadian home in Toronto. Historically, Britain’s royals have frowned upon such weddings but that changed as the Queen gave her consent in 2005 for Prince Charles to marry Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who was also a divorcee.
