Harry & Meghan Smitten From The Start

When Prince Harry met Meghan Markle he was in no doubt he had met the one. Following their engagement, Roya Nikkhah looks at how US TV star Meghan is evolving as the new one to watch in the House of Windsor.

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On a snowy November Monday morning in London, it was the heartwarming news that royal watchers had been waiting for. “His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle.”

After a 16-month, long-distance courtship that started with a blind date, the American actress was confirmed as the next royal bride. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were “delighted for the couple”, wishing them “every happiness”. Prince Charles was “thrilled”, the Duchess of Cornwall declared “America’s loss is our gain”, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said: “It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together.”

A true gentleman, Harry “sought and received the blessing of Ms. Markle’s parents” Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland, who added their congratulations in a joint statement. “We are incredibly happy for Meghan and Harry. 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.”

The world’s media raced to Kensington Palace, where a beaming Harry and Meghan emerged for their engagement photocall, with their arms around each other. Royal correspondents called out their questions, asking Harry when he knew she was ‘the one’. “The very first time we met,” he said. Was it a romantic proposal? “Very,” she giggled, showing off her diamond ring with a stone from Botswana, where the couple first holidayed together, and, in a poignant tribute to Harry’s mother, diamonds from the collection of the late Diana, Princess of Wales.