Bringing ‘something different’ to Royal Family
When it comes to romance, it is third time’s a charm for Prince Harry, who has long been one of Britain’s most eligible and wealthiest single men. The prince, fifth in line to the British throne, will marry American actress Meghan Markle in the spring. Markle, who has been living in Toronto, became known to Canadians through her role on the TV legal drama Suits and as a pitchwoman for Canadian retailer Reitmans.
FIRST INTERVIEW
Harry, 33, said he was “over the moon” about his engagement. Asked when he knew Markle, 36, was “the one,” he said: “Very first time we met.” Markle said she was “so very happy.” Harry said “one step at a time” when asked about plans for having children. Markle also said that “as naive as it sounds” she had no idea how intense interest would be in her relationship with the prince. She said the couple faced “a lot of mistruths” and she quickly decided not to read any press reports about them. Harry added it was “not easy for anybody” to join the Royal Family but he and his fiancée plan to tackle the future as a team.
RACE RELATIONS
The marriage represents a first-ever blending of Hollywood glamour with the once-stuffy Royal Family, which has of late seemed less fixed in its ways, and brings a mixed-race American divorcee into a highly visible role. Markle’s mother, a yoga instructor and psychotherapist, is African-American, and her father, a Hollywood lighting director, is white. She is divorced, without children from the previous marriage. On Monday, the British media quickly raised the issue of Markle’s race, marital status and nationality. A BBC News alert read: “American, divorced, an actress and mixed race — Meghan Markle will bring something different to the Royal Family.” However, former foreign secretary Malcolm Rifkind said Markle’s mixedrace background would have been a huge story decades ago, but not now. “It’s the least interesting aspect of the day’s news,” he said. “It’s not an issue. There is no controversy. The world has moved on.”
THE RING
Palace officials said Harry designed the engagement ring himself. It features two diamonds that belonged to his late mother Princess Diana, and a central diamond from Botswana, a country he and Markle have visited together.
THE COAT
Canadian fashion brand Line the Label is in the spotlight after Markle wore one of its coats during her photo-op with Harry. The white wool wrap coat has been renamed the “Meghan” and is already sold out. Line CEO John Muscat said, “Meghan has an effortlessly chic sense of style, which we’ve always admired.”