‘YES, WE ARE IN LOVE’

MEGHAN & HARRY

It was the moment the world had been waiting for, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle didn’t disappoint! The loving couple sent hearts soaring around the globe with their first public appearance at the Invictus Games in Toronto, putting on a very affectionate and tender display.

In a world exclusive, Meghan and Harry spoke to New Idea’s trusted palace correspondent, author Phil Dampier, about their amazing day out – revealing their happiness at finally sharing their love with the world.

‘I have been reporting on the royals for more than 30 years, and it was truly an historic and exciting moment,’ Phil tells.

‘As Harry and Meghan left, I asked her how she felt about being by Harry’s side in public for the first time. She flashed me a knowing smile and that said it all.

‘An hour later, Harry passed me in the media hotel and I asked him how he felt. He recognised me and just said: “Hi, how are you?”

‘It seemed to me that he was on top of the world and happier than I’d ever seen him.’

While things got off to an anti-climactic start with Harry and Meghan sitting at opposite sides of the stadium for the Games’ Opening Ceremony, the royal lovebirds made up for it with a very cosy and romantic display while watching Australia play New Zealand in the wheelchair tennis – smiling, holding hands and nuzzling.

And Phil – who was seated near Meghan and Harry – said the lovable prince was incredibly attentive to his sweetheart, helping steer her through the first of their many official royal functions together.

‘I have never seen Harry looking so happy and relaxed, even though he knew the cameras and the world’s media were watching them,’ Phil reveals to New Idea.

‘You could see Meghan’s broad smile from the other side of the court, and they were laughing and joking with each other and with members of the crowd around them. ‘She stroked his arm and leant into him.

‘He even stopped her taking a gulp from a water bottle, as that doesn’t look good in photos. So she is learning all the tricks of the trade already. ‘It was almost as if a great weight had been lifted from their shoulders and they could now tell the world: “Yes, we are a couple. Yes, we are in love!”’ Meghan, 36, and Harry, 33, later met some of the Australian competitors with Kylie Lawler – wife of Aussie tennis team member Sean – and they were reportedly as taken with the actress as her royal beau! ‘Meghan chatted to us and was absolutely lovely,’ Kylie tells New Idea. ‘She seemed very relaxed and delighted to be there. ‘It was wonderful to meet her and we hope they will be very happy together.’ But Phil reveals that Harry and Meghan’s first outing together was tough on the royal, given that he

didn’t want to take the attention away from the incredible Invictus Games athletes.

‘Obviously it’s been a difficult one for Harry,’ Phil explains. ‘He doesn’t want to be seen to exploit the Games for his own publicity, but on the other hand he was desperate to be seen with Meghan in her adopted home city and to show off his baby.

‘Anyway, all the competitors I spoke to were very happy for him. One of the New Zealand wheelchair tennis players, Glenn Barnes, told me he was happy for Harry to interrupt him anytime – especially with Meghan!

‘They all have a great respect for what he has done to set up the Games and there was no criticism of him being seen with Meghan – they are just pleased for him.’

The couple’s triumphant first public outing comes as speculation continues to mount that Harry and Meghan secretly married in late June, organising a private ceremony near the

Queen’s Balmoral home. It’s believed the couple will announce plans for a second official royal ceremony ‘any day now’, once they have the go-ahead from the palace.

The Suits star appeared to drop a massive hint about their private nuptials by stepping out in a designer white shirt named ‘The Husband’. The $235 shirt was designed by Meghan’s close friend Misha Nonoo – and is the surest sign yet that the couple have taken things to the next level.

And the fact that Harry had arranged for one of his senior royal protection officers to protect Meghan throughout the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony is also a clear sign that they’re already married.

‘There was an immediate difference in the way police and officials were treating them,’ Phil tells. ‘Scotland Yard is now obviously looking after Meghan’s protection as a future member of the royal family.’ NI

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