Prince Harry to wed Meghan Markle
LONDON: Prince Harry, fifth in line to the British throne, will marry US actress and humanitarian campaigner, Meghan Markle, next year, palace officials announced yesterday.
The engagement announcement says the couple became engaged in London earlier this month.
The marriage represents a 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.
The couple made a brief appearance for photographers at Kensington Palace after their engagement was announced.
Harry said he was “thrilled”.
Markle, who said she was “so happy”, was wearing her ring for the first time in public.
Harry’s brother, Prince William, and his wife Kate welcomed Markle to the royal family. “We are very excited for Harry and Meghan,” they said in a statement.
Harry’s father Prince Charles said he was “thrilled”. “They’ll be very happy indeed.” Congratulations also came in from the queen and Prince Philip, and from British Prime Minister Theresa May. Markle’s parents also welcomed the news.
It won’t be the first time a British royal has married an American, or a divorcee. In 1936, Edward VIII abdicated after he was forced to choose between the monarchy and his relationship with twice-divorced American socialite, Wallis Simpson.