It’s been expected for some time, but the royal family has just announced that Prince Harry has proposed to his actress girlfriend Meghan Markle.
The couple will tie the knot next spring and reside at Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace in London.
Monday’s official royal statement read: “His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle.
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“The wedding will take place in Spring 2018. Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course.”
The announcement went on to say: “His Royal Highness and Ms Markle became engaged in London earlier this month.
“Prince Harry has informed Her Majesty The Queen and other close members of his family.
“Prince Harry has also sought and received the blessing of Ms Markle’s parents.”
Harry’s brother, Prince William, and his wife Kate also offered their congratulations.
A tweet from the couple read: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said of the engagement: ‘We are very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together.'”
The Queen and Prince Phillip also extended their joy to the couple via Twitter…
Their statement said: “The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness.”
Harry and Meghan began dating 16 months ago after meeting through mutual friends in London. They went public with their relationship after six months.
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In September of this year, Meghan told Vanity Fair magazine they were “really happy and in love”.
According to a report by the Daily Star on Nov. 25, the staff at Buckingham and Kensington Palaces were told Thursday, Nov. 23 in a meeting attended by the Queen that Prince Harry and Meghan were engaged to be married.
The Queen reportedly told the staff that the couple are planning a non-traditional wedding and apparently gave the couple her blessing to make the announcement as they choose.