Royal lovebirds plan to take romantic break in Ireland

Honeymoon a well-kept secret

PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle are set for a trip to Ireland after their wedding in May – but it won’t be their official honeymoon.

It’s widely reported that arrangements are being put in place for the royal couple to visit in the weeks after their nuptials, although it’s understood the break here will be more like a long weekend, rather than an extended holiday.

A source has said that Ireland will ‘possibly be the first foreign trip after their wedding’.

It will also be the second royal visit of the summer here, as Prince Charles and his wife Camilla are expected in late April or early May.

This country has become a favourite destination for Charles and Camilla in recent years. Last May, they undertook a three-day tour, which included stops in Kilkenny and the Curragh.

They also attended a ceremony to honour Irish soldiers who died in the 1916 Rising and World War I, as well as visiting the grave of Michael Collins in Glasnevin Cemetery. Prince Harry and Meghan are due to get married on May 19 in St George’s Chapel, on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Their honeymoon is being kept a closely-guarded secret, but the Irish Daily Mail understands a trip to Dublin is pencilled in for shortly after the wedding. The publicity around such a visit could prove helpful in Anglo-Irish relations at a time when Brexit has created a strain between the two governments.

The British embassy was not in a position to comment last night.

Details of royal trips are generally kept secret until shortly before the event, due to security concerns.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: ‘We have no comment to make. Any overseas trips for the couple will be announced in due course.’

Harry has never visited Ireland before but Meghan spent time here as an ambassador for the One Young World Summit in 2014. It’s understood their visit is likely to take place in June or July.

Ms Markle last year revealed the details of Prince Harry’s proposal to her. She said: ‘It was a cosy night, we were roasting chicken, and it was an amazing surprise.

‘It was so sweet and natural and very romantic. He got on one knee.’

When asked if she said ‘yes’ immediately, Ms Markle said: ‘Yes! As a matter of fact, I could barely let [Harry] finish proposing.’

Harry added: ‘She didn’t even let me finish. She said, “Can I say yes?”. Then there were hugs and... I was like, “Can I give you the ring?” It was a really nice moment. Just the two of us, and I think I managed to catch her by surprise as well.’

Their engagement was then confirmed by the Prince of Wales.