Get ready for another royal wedding—and this time it’s one that may cement the so-called “special relationship” between the U.S. And the U.K.
It’s official: Prince Harry and the American actor Meghan Markle are getting married. Just a few days after Buckingham Palace responded to feverish rumors by saying the royal family “would not give a running commentary on Harry’s love life,” Prince Charles announced on Monday morning that “His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle are engaged to be married.”
According to Clarence House (Charles’s residence and office), the wedding will take place in the spring of next year. Harry apparently “sought and received the blessing of Ms. Markle’s parents.”
The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle. Pic.twitter.com/zdaHR4mcY6
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) November 27, 2017
Markle’s parents also issued a statement saying they are “incredibly happy” for the couple.
“We wish them a lifetime of happiness and are very excited for their future together,” they said.
Ms. Markle's parents, Mr. Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland have wished the couple 'a lifetime of happiness.' Pic.twitter.com/H4kpTgpkYE
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) November 27, 2017
Until Markle started dating Charles and Diana’s younger son last year, she was best known for portraying Rachel Zane on the USA Network legal drama Suits.
Her relationship with the prince brought up some rather racist coverage at times in the British press, as Markle has a bi-racial background. Social media attacks on her led Kensington Palace (Harry’s residence, as well as that of his brother William) to issue a statement last year decrying the “outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments.”