As it happened: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engaged - Is this finally the modern bride the royal family needs?

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Washington Bureau Chief

Prince Harry is to marry his American actor girlfriend Meghan Markle, Clarence House has announced.

The official announcement said: “His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle. The wedding will take place in spring 2018. Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course.

“His Royal Highness and Ms Markle became engaged in London earlier this month. Prince Harry has informed Her Majesty The Queen and other close members of his family. Prince Harry has also sought and received the blessing of Ms Markle’s parents. The couple will live in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace.”

The fifth in line to the throne has been dating Markle since last summer and the 36-year-old actor is rumoured to be moving to the UK after quitting the hit US show Suits which she rose to fame for.

Prince Harry said he was "delighted to announce" the engagement and had gained the blessing of Markle's parents in a statement.

Speculation of a major royal announcement has grown in recent weeks as rumours about the couple's engagement have mounted.

Markle's parents Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland celebrated news of the engagement in a statement issued by Kensington Palace.

"We are incredibly happy for Meghan and Harry. 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. We wish them a lifetime of happiness and are very excited for their future together."

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh “are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness".

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Lizzie Dearden27 November 2017 19:00

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Tory MP suggests Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should be given a Royal Yacht to 'sail the sea with'

A Tory MP wants Prince Harry to get a royal yacht for his engagement 'to sail around the sea with'A Tory MP has renewed calls for the commissioning of a new royal yacht following the engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Conservative Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, noted there is no Britannia yacht and suggested the royal couple could require "something to sail around the sea with".

Jon di Paolo28 November 2017 01:13

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