Royals

Prince Harry has officially proposed, but Meghan WON’T be a PRINCESS

There may be another Royal wedding on the way, but Harry's American actress fiancée will never be a Princess

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Prince Harry is officially engaged to his American actress girlfriend Meghan Markle.

And while it might all seem like a fairytale romance, or a Hollywood film, there won’t be a Princess Meghan.

Rules and protocol governing the British crown means that only girls born into the royal family can use the title Prince or Princess, followed by their first name.

Instead, after the couple tie the knot, the 36-year-old star will be officially known as Her Royal Highness Princess Henry of Wales. Quite the mouthful!

However, it is also almost guaranteed that the Queen will bestow the couple a Dukedom before their wedding, making Meghan a duchess.

Royal experts predict that the couple will become the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

So Meghan would officially be known as the Duchess of Sussex – in the same way as her sister-in-law to be Kate Middleton is called the Duchess of Cambridge.

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The couple could also be given the titles of the Duke and Duchess of Clarence or Buckingham, as those lines have died out and are available for the Queen to bestow on the couple as a gift if she so chooses.

The engagement was made official this morning, with an announcement from the Palace. And the news that Harry and Meghan will marry in spring 2018.

Royal experts are predicting a May wedding, likely to take place at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

A palace spokesman 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.”

Whilst on a Royal visit in Dorset, Prince Charles shared his and wife Camilla’s delight at the news.

“We’re thrilled. We’re both thrilled,” he told reporters.

“We hope they’ll be very happy indeed.”

And Kate and Wills, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, said: “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 Prince had spoken to Meghan’s parents Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland earlier this month, to ask for their blessing.

They said they are “incredibly happy” with the couple’s engagement, saying: “We wish them a lifetime of happiness.

“Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person. To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for us as parents.”

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And following strict royal protocol, the Prince also visited his grandmother the Queen, to ask for permission to marry the divorced actress.

In a statement, she and the Duke of Edinburgh said they “are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness.”

The happy couple, who have been dating since last summer, will hold a photo call at Kensington Palace this afternoon and also appear in a television interview this evening.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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