Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce engagement

Prince Harry is to marry his American actress girlfriend Meghan Markle, Clarence House has announced. The prince, fifth in line to the throne, will marry Ms Markle next spring and the pair will live at Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace in London.

A statement issued by Clarence House said: “His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle. The wedding will take place in Spring 2018. Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course. 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.

The couple will live in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace.” The couple has been dating since last summer and the 36-year-old actress is rumoured to be moving to the UK after quitting the hit US show Suits. Markle, 36, a native of Los Angeles, is three years older than Harry, and is divorced.

Rumours of an engagement have been swirling since the couple made their first appearance together in September at the Invictus Games, the prince’s sporting tournament for injured or sick veterans. In a statement, Prince Harry said he was “delighted to announce” the engagement and had gained the blessing of Markle’s parents.