Prince Harry and Meghan Markle officially announce engagement

Kensington Palace has confirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaged to be married.

"The Prince of Wales has announced the engagement of Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle," Kensington Palace's official Twitter account tweeted.

"Prince Harry and Ms Markle became engaged in London earlier this month," a subsequent tweet read.

"Prince Harry has informed The Queen and other close members of The Royal Family. The wedding will take place in spring 2018. Further details will be announced in due course. Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle will appear for a photo call at Kensington Palace later this afternoon. The couple will also take part in a broadcast interview to be aired this evening UK time."

The account also published a statement from Meghan's parents, Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland:

Harry and Meghan have been very secretive about their relationship over the years, however news of their engagement has been growing over the last couple of weeks, with speculation that Harry was waiting for The Queen and Prince Phillip’s 70th Anniversary to pass before making the official announcement.

The couple's relationship was officially confirmed last November, after the Prince released a statement asking that Meghan’s privacy be respected. The pair made their first official appearance together just last month at the Invictus Games.

Congratulations Harry and Meghan!

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