Harry tells the world
I worship this girl!
It was on a trip to New Zealand two years ago that Prince Harry spoke wistfully of hoping to find someone to spend his life with and share the burden of royal duty. Last week, that dream came true as he was joined by girlfriend Meghan Markle for their picture-perfect first official outing as a couple.
Finally able to send a clear message that they’re deeply in love, Harry looked happier than ever as he proudly walked hand in hand with his brunette beauty, making their debut on the world stage at the Invictus Games in Toronto.
Their smiles said it all, and fans were thrilled to witness such warmth, affection and chemistry
between the smitten pair.
Harry, 33, and 36-year-old Meghan – who are understood to be secretly engaged already – joined the families of Kiwi wheelchair tennis players to watch the semi-final between NZ and Australia from the sidelines.
The relaxed couple sat close, leaning their heads together and laughing quietly throughout the hour-long game. Meticulously planned, their low-key first official engagement went perfectly and commentators have noted the ease at which the Suits actress charmed members of the public.
“She had a very calming presence, and as she chatted to the players and families, it was clear they felt relaxed around her too. She and Harry seemed like a lovely couple,” a witness reports from the event, which Harry created for injured servicemen. Christchurch teen Olivia Kornal added, “They were cheering on my stepdad. They were lovely.”
Dressed in a crisp white shirt and ripped jeans – a decidedly unroyal outfit – it was almost as if Meghan wanted to declare to the world, “This is who I am and I won’t be changing.”
While her edgy choice of distressed denim may have raised eyebrows in certain quarters, her blouse style, called “The Husband”, was perhaps the most telling. Whatever the case, the loved-up couple’s willingness to be seen – and photographed – together is the clearest sign yet that the pair are on the verge of
announcing their plans to wed. As first reported in Woman’s
Day, the duo – who have been dating for 14 months – became engaged on a romantic African holiday in August. Now our sources say that they are simply waiting for the Queen’s final approval before they can announce their magical news. Senior members of the royal family – including Harry – can only marry if the Queen gives her formal blessing in a document called the “instrument of consent”.
A palace insider tells us, “The first public engagement together is a huge step, and a clear sign that Harry and Meghan are the real deal. They are desperate to shout it from the rooftops, but first they had to wait until Kate’s pregnancy was out in the open. And now it’s just up to the Queen.
“She’s given her tacit approval, but there are many legalities going on behind the scenes before it can be made official. These things can’t be rushed.”
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan’s time in Canada was a special chance for the lovebirds to be together after several weeks apart. Though the prince usually stays at his girlfriend’s rented flat when he visits her in Toronto – where Suits is filmed – this time, Meghan joined Harry at the luxurious Fairmont Royal York Hotel. It’s believed they holed up in the $3000-a-night royal suite, with a bar, fireplace and 16-seater dining room.
Royaltreatment
Our insider says that Harry pulled out all the stops for his lady love, including having the hotel’s head chef create a six-course dinner for the couple, complete with a string quartet playing!
“Harry is incredibly romantic and Meghan’s told her friends that she’s never felt so loved in all her life,” dishes the insider. “He worships the ground she walks on and would do anything for her. But they also have a huge amount of fun together. They have the same sense of humour and
they’re always laughing when they’re together. It’s wonderful to see their chemistry.”
The moment that Harry met Meghan, he knew she was the one for him. But palace aides have had to carefully navigate the fact she’s not only American but also a divorcée.
“Of course, it would’ve been more straightforward if Harry had chosen a British aristocrat, but love doesn’t work like that,” says our insider. “Harry has always been a little unconventional, so no-one was overly surprised when he fell in love with an American actress.”
And now it’s just a matter of when – not if – the pair say “I do”, with the latest rumours suggesting plans are already in place for a summer wedding in London next year.
“Meghan and Harry are desperate to finally tell the world they’re engaged,” our insider tells. “She wants to flaunt that ring on her finger, celebrate their engagement in public and start planning the wedding. It’s so exciting.”