Harry’s public kiss for Meghan as she joins high society
THE rumour mill was glowing red hot last night with predictions of a royal engagement for Prince Harry and his girlfriend Meghan Markle after they were spotted smooching in public.
The couple were seen cuddling in the car park at the Coworth Park Polo Club, near Ascot, Berkshire, yesterday when she turned up to watch him play in the Audi Polo Challenge.
It was the second day running Meghan, 35, had been to the event, where the Duke of Cambridge also competed, and it was their first public display of affection since they started dating nine months ago.
When she was seen on Saturday it was taken as a strong indication the couple were serious about each other.
But the kiss is being seen as confirmation that an announcement is only a matter of time. “The Royals don’t do anything by accident, even Harry who is known to be very laid back, knows the rules,” said a source. “This is serious, make no mistake.”
Bookies Coral immediately gave odds of 4-6 that Harry, 32, and Meghan will announce their engagement before September 1.
The current odds are 1-2 for a wedding next year and 4-1 they will have a baby in the same year. “It’s now a case of when rather than if Harry pops the question to Meghan, with a summer engagement now odds-on,” said Coral’s David Stevens.
Last month Harry revealed he was keen to start a family. “I would love to have kids,” he said. “I’m a godfather to quite a few of my friends’ kids. I’ve actually had a lot practice for that.
“I’ve now been able to take my work seriously, been able to take my private life seriously as well.”
The pair were seen together at Harry’s friend Tom Inskip’s wedding in Jamaica in March. And it is very likely Meghan will be on the Prince’s arm as a guest at the church wedding and reception for sister-in-law Pippa Middleton’s wedding to James Matthews on May 20.
The US actress has been given a week’s leave from filming legal drama Suits – in which she plays paralegal Rachel Zane – around the time of the wedding. It is likely she will stay with Harry in Nottingham Cottage, his bachelor pad at Kensington Palace.
MEGHAN MARKLE watched Prince Harry play polo at Ascot over the weekend – their first real public appearance as a couple. It has added to what we must now call Meghan fever. Come on, Sir, give the public something to think about apart from the election and announce your engagement.