Prince Harry and Meghan get handsy

Gripping royal pics

Prince Harry and gorgeous American gal pal Meghan Markle held hands in public this week — but it’s the Brits who are swooning.

“First snaps of the couple hand-in-hand add fuel to friend’s claims that they will be ‘engaged by spring,’ ” The Sun reported after printing exclusive photos (left and above) of the couple as they left Soho House in London this week.

“Rumors of an impending engagement continue to grow,” said the Daily Mail.

The public display of manual affection is “another sign that the blossoming romance is serious,” The Sun concluded.

“I can see them engaged by spring,” one pal told the Brit tabloid, noting that Markle has “virtually moved in” to Harry’s cottage at Kensington Palace.

The two are practically inseparable, and Harry is “head over heels,” the pal added.

“Meg is not filming in Toronto at the moment,” the pal said of Markle’s role as sultry paralegal Rachel Zane on the USA Network legal drama “Suits.”

“So she is free to spend all her time with Harry.”

Moments before the photos were taken, Markle and the world’s most eligible bachelor had just finished dinner at Soho House, an exclusive private-member club.

“They were out with a couple of friends and enjoyed drinks and food,” a diner told Us Weekly.

“They were sat in one of the cozier areas of the first floor, and Harry had two protection officers present, but you wouldn’t really notice them if you weren’t paying close attention.”

The group was “happy, having a great time,” the eyewitness added.

“They weren’t trying to hide. You could tell they were comfortable.”

The club may hold fond memories for the couple. It was a mutual friend, Markus Anderson — a director at the Soho House Group — who first introduced them.