Harry makes Meghan his African queen
STUNNING NEW PICTURES
THE gesture is both casual and touchingly intimate. Stepping off a plane into the warmth of the African sun, Prince Harry tenderly drapes a protective arm across the shoulders of his girlfriend, actress Meghan Markle.
His bearded face, shielded by a cap and sunglasses, is turned admiringly towards her; she smiles broadly at a joke, shared as they stroll across the airport tarmac.
Their obvious happiness is sealed with a thumbs-up from smitten Harry – heightening speculation that this romantic trip could, in fact, be a significant one.
The couple touched down on Friday, Meghan’s 36th birthday, in Botswana, a nation which has long held sentimental value for the young Royal and may prove the perfect destination for the couple to cement their relationship.
The Prince plans to showcase the country he adores to the woman who has his heart. And, as Royal observers have suggested, Harry may be keen to propose before his birthday on September 15, when he will turn 33. It is understood he quietly visited Botswana two weeks ago. It was in connection with his work as patron of the charity Rhino Conservation Botswana, but a source told The Mail on Sunday that he also did ‘a recce’ to ensure his trip with Meghan would be perfect.
The Prince has been telling friends of his plans to take Meghan to Africa for months. He had intended to whisk her to Botswana in January, although they ended up making a trip to Norway to see the Northern Lights instead.
An intimate safari through the country’s lush animal habitat, which will be a defining part of their holiday, is bound to be captivating for Meghan, who is known to be keen on conservation and wildlife and holds a particular fascination for elephants. Other plans are said to include boat trips across a lake, camping under the stars and dawn bush treks.
Whatever the outcome, this may turn out to be the couple’s most prolonged holiday to date. Theirs has been a transatlantic love affair, flitting between Meghan’s Toronto apartment and Harry’s quarters at Kensington Palace, where Meghan is said to keep clothes and a shelf of organic cookbooks.
Now that filming has wrapped on the latest series of Suits, Meghan may find herself with more time on her hands. Perhaps she will use it to rehearse for her most serious role yet – a bone fide member of the Royal Household.