Prince’s girlfriend in first royal engagement

Meghan Markle attends opening ceremony of Invictus Games

Meghan Markle has made her first appearance at an official engagement attended by Prince Harry.

The US actress was spotted at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games in Toronto, the competition for wounded veterans founded by the prince.

The couple, who have been an item for just over a year, were not sitting together in the stands of the Air Canada Centre.

Ms Markle’s seat was in a section of the crowd, while Harry was seated around 20 places away in a VIP area alongside the US First Lady Melania Trump, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and other dignitaries.

The Suits star smiled and clapped as the competitors arrived.

The Toronto resident had not been seen since Harry’s arrival ahead of the Games on Friday, although there was fevered speculation the event would be the first time the couple stepped out together.

Ms Markle revealed her love for the prince in a recent interview with Vanity Fair magazine, prompting speculation the announcement of a royal engagement was merely a formality.

The actress declared: “We’re two people who are really happy and in love.

“I hope what people will understand is that this is our time. This is for us.”

Earlier on Saturday, Harry held separate bilateral meetings with Mrs Trump and Mr Trudeau.

The first lady is in Canada to support the large American contingent taking part in the games and sat next to the prince during the ceremony.

Harry founded the Invictus Games, a paralympic-style competition for wounded, injured and sick former and serving servicemen and women, and staged the inaugural event in London in 2014.

The second tournament was held in Orlando, Florida, in 2016, and the third in Toronto will see 550 competitors from 17 nations take part in 12 adaptive sports.

During the eight-day games, Harry will visit training sessions and watch participants competing in all 12 sports, including athletics, cycling and wheelchair basketball.

The high-profile closing ceremony to be held on September 30 will feature performances by singers Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams and Kelly Clarkson.

Pictures: Getty. Harry was seated in a VIP area while his girlfriend Meghan was in a section of the crowd.