Prince Harry has stepped out with actor girlfriend Meghan Markle for the first time in public since the pair started dating late last year.
The prince and Suits star were spotted walking hand-in-hand in Toronto, where they were attending the Invictus Games for wounded veterans.
The pair could be seen looking cosy and making each other laugh during a wheelchair tennis match between Australia and New Zealand.
Although they’ve kept their romance incredibly private, the Canadian actor, 36, recently spoke about her relationship with Harry, 33, in an interview with Vanity Fair saying, “We’re two people who are really happy and in love”.
Harry confirmed the relationship in a statement in November last year, but the Invictus Games is the first time the couple has appeared at an official event together.
So what does this mean for the couple’s future? Are wedding bells about to ring?
Juliet Rieden, editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly and author of The Royals in Australia said she wouldn’t be surprised if there was an engagement on the horizon. “I think everyone’s pretty spot-on in thinking that’s a pretty serious relationship and we’re all hoping he’s going to announce an engagement anytime soon.”
Ms Rieden says that although Harry will have to seek approval from the Queen before asking for Meghan’s hand in marriage (there’s no confirmation that that has happened yet), because he is currently fifth in line to the throne things are a bit simpler for him.
“I believe Harry has an easier time because he doesn’t have the expectation of being king. But it’s also a lot to do with his personality. [Harry and William] are very different. William’s a lot more serious, while Harry’s more passionate — we can see that in everything he does,” she says.
However, the pair will have other big issues to work out — such as where they’ll live.
“I think living in America would be considered a bit of a problem, because Harry is expected to take part in his royal duties and has a schedule of commitments that can’t be done from America,” she says.
Where they will live and how they carry out royal roles and whether she would continue as an actor are questions they will need to answer.
The couple may also decide to start a family quite quickly, given Markle is 36.
When it comes to how royal romances have changed over time, Rieden says things “are a lot more informal” now.
- news.com.au
