Meghan meets Her Maj
Prince Harry’s engagement could be announced as early as July
‘The whole family has been charmed by Meghan’
Last weekend’s Audi Polo Challenge at Ascot (where else?) was Meghan Markle’s first public appearance with Prince Harry, with the pair being photographed in a cosy embrace away from the crowds. And it sounds like Harry’s polo set loved Meghan as much as he does. “She was absolutely lovely and was chatting with everyone at the polo,” says our insider, who was at the event. “She gets British humour, and was laughing at everyone’s jokes. She was saying that she loves horses, but doesn’t ride as well as she’d like and wants Harry to teach her.”
Their outing to the A-list event was a significant one for the couple, who found themselves mingling with celebs such as Emma Stone and Gemma Arterton on the day. With Harry having already met Meghan’s parents, and Meghan having been introduced to both Prince Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – as heat reported, Meghan charmed Prince George and Princess Charlotte, as well as their parents – things are moving very quickly indeed.
Following rumours the pair were dating, they became official last November – Prince Harry issued a statement to the press naming her as his “girlfriend”, saying he was “worried about Ms Markle’s safety”. Now, renovations are said to be already underway at 32-year-old Harry’s Kensington Palace apartment in order for Meghan, 35, to move in, close to William and Kate’s wing of the palace. And Meghan’s recent decision to close her blog, The Tig, was seen as another sign things are definitely hotting up.
She’s met his friends, too – heading to Tom Inskip’s lavish wedding to Lara Hughes-young in Jamaica in March. But there was one person Meghan had left to impress – the Queen – and our source tells us that was the reason behind her recent trip to the UK. “Meghan came to London – or rather, Windsor – to meet the Queen,” they explain. “Everyone was speculating that it’s the last step before Harry proposes, and the engagement could be announced as soon as July. He’s completely in love, and wants to include Meghan in his life as soon as possible.”
Of course, meeting Her Maj is a pretty big deal – according
to the Royal Marriages Act, Harry’s grandmother has to sign a notice of “approval” and consent to Harry’s choice of wife. But it doesn’t sound like Hazza was worried about the meeting. “They headed to Windsor Castle together to meet her last week,” we’re told. “Harry told Meghan not to be nervous and just be herself. Harry’s whole family has been totally charmed by Meghan, so he was sure his grandmother would be, too.”