PRINCESS BRIDE
U.S. STAR MEGHAN & HARRY GO KNOTS —
ROYAL WILD CHILD Prince Harry finally met his match — an American actress who shares his passion for promoting humanitarian causes.
Harry, 33, and his betrothed Meghan Markle, 36, put on a glamorous display Monday, posing for cameras outside Nottingham Cottage in Kensington Palace, following an official announcement of their engagement.
A slightly nervous Harry fiddled with his coat pocket and clutched Markle’s hand as they beamed at reporters and she flashed her sparkling ring.
The royal bling, designed by Harry, features a diamond from Botswana as well as two diamonds from the personal collection of his mother, Princess Diana.
“When did I know she was the one? The very first time we met,” Harry said, in answer to a shouted question from a reporter.
The “Ginger Prince,” officially Henry Charles Albert David Mountbatten-Windsor, is fifth in line to inherit the British throne — behind his father, his older brother Prince William and his nephew and niece.
Harry’s distance from the crown is likely one reason it’s possible for him to marry a divorced American actress who until recently made a living playing a paralegal on a legal thriller called “Suits.”
The lovebirds will exchange vows in a royal wedding in the spring. Markle will likely assume the title of Duchess of Sussex, if the queen anoints Harry the Duke of Sussex on his wedding day, as she is expected to do.
Harry’s proposal earlier this month at Nottingham Cottage did not feature royal pomp and circumstance, the couple said in an interview with the BBC that aired after their engagement went public.
Markle recalled the “cozy night” when they were “trying” to roast a chicken — and then Harry took a knee.
“Just an amazing surprise. It was so sweet and natural and very romantic. He got on one knee,” Markle said. “As a matter of fact I could barely let you finish proposing. I said, ‘Can I say yes now?’ ”
The pair were able to keep their relationship secret for around six months when they began dating.
Markle, who grew up in California, said a mutual friend set up their first date.
They went out twice in London before Harry convinced her to spend five days camping under the stars in Botswana.
“We were able to have so much time to connect. We never went longer than two weeks without seeing each other,” Markle said.
Harry said his mother Diana’s diamonds on the ring were a way “to make sure she’s with us on this crazy journey together.”
But he still feels her loss, the prince added.
“It’s days like today when I really miss having her around,” Harry said.
Diana, who died in a 1997
car crash, and Markle probably would have been “thick as thieves,” Harry said.
During the BBC interview the pair couldn’t stop looking in each other’s eyes and holding hands — and their mutual adoration had royal-watchers swooning.
Harry recalled having some “frank conversations” with Markle about all that comes with marrying into the royal family. She said Monday she would end her acting career and focus on charitable endeavors with Harry.
“She’s capable of anything. And together, there’s a hell of a lot that needs doing,” Harry said.
The future husband’s heartfelt proclamation that “I’m in love with this girl” highlighted his evolution from playboy to a mature man ready to assume a larger share of royal family duties.
It was only five years ago, in 2012, when Harry’s nude partying in a Las Vegas hotel became a colossal royal scandal. And in 2005, Harry was photographed wearing a Nazi outfit to a costume party — just two weeks before Holocaust Memorial Day.
His relationship with Markle sparked different headlines.
In November 2016, he blasted hateful comments and negative press coverage aimed at his new love — much of it revolving around Markle’s education at a Catholic high school and biracial roots. Markle’s father is white and her mother African-American.
She was previously married to producer Trevor Engelson. The two split amicably in 2013.
There is a long-running custom barring royals from marrying Catholics and divorcees.
But the surprise addition of Markle to the royal family is a sign the British monarchy has moved on with the times — and Harry has already proved himself a fierce defender of his lady love’s reputation.
Last year he had his royal spokesman issue a blistering statement warning the press to leave Markle alone.
Markle admitted she was initially unprepared for such “discriminatory” scrutiny and called the coverage “disheartening.”
Harry also took pains to ease Markle into his family, noting on Monday that his fiancée has met Queen Elizabeth privately several times. She and the 91-year-old monarch hit it off — and the queen’s beloved dogs gave her their stamp of approval, he said.
The queen’s famous corgis had taken to Markle “straight away,” Harry laughed.
The couple is rumored to be planning a “nontraditional wedding” — unlike the lavish 2011 ceremony where his older brother, Prince William, tied the knot with Kate Middleton.