Harry and Meghan GET SERIOUS
Otherwise engaged!
HARRY HAS ASKED THE QUEEN IF HE CAN MARRY
Make a note of August 4 in your diary. That’s the day Prince Harry will propose to Meghan
Markle, according to those closest to them.
“It’s Meghan’s birthday and what better present could there be?” says a friend.
It’s also the late Queen Mother’s birthday, which would please Her Majesty. Harry (32) has already asked the Queen for her permission, say those in the know. “The way it’s going, the engagement will probably happen this year,” says one friend. “He’s already had those conversations with Her Majesty. An engagement is imminent.”
The bookies agree. Two of Britain’s largest, Ladbrookes and Paddy Power, have the odds on an engagement at evens and 6/4 on, respectively.
Ladbrokes spokeswoman Jessica Bridge says, “The playboy prince has finally met the one, and royal fans are desperate to see Harry and Meghan tie the knot.”
It’s been on the cards for months, ever since Harry’s strongly worded statement defending Meghan against intrusive media last November. “This is not a game – it is her life and his,” it railed.
A major step in the romance was her appearance at the reception for Pippa Middleton and James Matthews’ wedding. Had it been down to Harry and Meghan, nobody but fellow guests would have known she was there.
Meghan (35) arrived in
Britain the Tuesday before the ceremony, flying in from Toronto, where she stars as Rachel Zane in the television drama Suits. No-one would have guessed she was in the country were it not for a photographer who snapped her working out at a fitness studio in London’s Soho.
The next time she was seen was in a blurry shot of Harry driving her to the evening reception. Supposedly, the gallant prince had driven to London to fetch her. “Utter nonsense,” says an admiring friend. “Harry drove her down early in the morning and they settled themselves into a suite at Englefield House, where the wedding breakfast took place.
“He then went to the wedding and the breakfast, and popped back to the suite to pick Meghan up to take her to the reception at Michael and Carole Middleton’s home. It was just bad luck they were seen.
“They were determined to not upstage Pippa and James’ day. As to Harry and Meghan, they’ll take things in their own good time.”
At the reception, Harry and Meghan acted like a very established couple. “They were seated apart,” says a guest. “All couples were, on Pippa’s orders. Meghan chatted to people she knew and people she didn’t. It was all very relaxed and she looked stunning. Her dress was elegant but not over the top. It certainly didn’t overshadow Pippa’s evening gown – full-length, V-necked, sparkly. Quite lovely.”
Another notes, “I’ve seen Harry pretty smashed at more parties than I care to remember, but this time he appeared to be on his best behaviour. Surprisingly, Harry didn’t drink that much and he was very gentlemanly around his girlfriend. It looked like he wanted to make a good impression on her.”
Harry’s new calmness is partly down to Meghan. She, along with William and Kate, has helped him through his anger and grief at his mother Diana’s death.
As a result, he says, “I’ve now been able to take my work seriously, been able to take my
‘He has finally met the one and royal fans are desperate to see Harry and Meghan tie the knot’