ON YOUR MARKLE, GET SET, GO ...
ROYAL RELATIONSHIP OFF TO THE RACES Prince Harry and his girlfriend, Meghan Markle, arrive at a wheelchair tennis event at the Invictus Games in Toronto. The first official appearance for the U.S. actress was a discreet but very public milestone for the c
Two years ago, he spoke wistfully of hoping to find someone to sit next to him and share the pressures of royal life.
On Monday, Prince Harry’s dream came true, as he was joined by girlfriend Meghan Markle for a picture- perfect first official appearance side- by- side in downtown Toronto.
The prince and Markle held hands as they made their debut on the world stage, making an affectionate appearance at the Invictus Games.
In a remarkably low- key event, meticulously planned by Harry’s team, they joined the families of Australian and New Zealand wheelchair tennis players to watch the semifinal from the sidelines.
Spending time with the wives and children of tennis players, the American actress, who lives in Toronto, chatted happily with everyone around her, accepting small gifts from her new admirers.
The relaxed couple sat side by side, leaning their heads closely together to talk between points and laughing at private jokes.
Markle, who appears in the legal drama “Suits,” wore a loose white shirt, jeans with a rip in the knee and a pair of $ 600 Sarah Flint shoes, with an oversized handbag.
The prince appeared to talk her through the rules of wheelchair tennis, pointing around the court.
The informal public appearance represented the culmination of a carefully planned campaign to welcome Markle into the royal fold, in a gradual introduction centred around the Invictus Games.
Yesterday, her appearance at the tennis was unexpected by most, and remained unpublicized until she arrived. They spent half an hour together in public, before they retreated for the prince to fulfil a promised BBC interview about Invictus.
The appearance f uels speculation that the relationship is heading in one direction: an engagement announcement in the weeks to come.
Kylie Lawler, whose husband, Sean, played for the Australian team, said Markle “was excited to be here and lovely. They seemed really relaxed as a couple,” she said.