Meghan Markle shows off her engagement ring with Prince Harry after couple announce royal wedding is to take place next Spring

Hatty Collier27 November 2017

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped out in public for the first time this afternoon after the world celebrated news of their engagement.

The Prince and Ms Markle appeared in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace, near the cottage which they will eventually call home, in front of the world's media jostling for the first glimpse of the happy couple.

Meghan wore all white and Prince Harry wore a navy suit as they smiled for the cameras while holding hands and briefly posing for photographs.

Ms Markle also showed off her engagement ring for the first time. Harry is said to have designed the ring using gems from a brooch that belonged to his late mother.

The happy couple: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The band is made of gold and the ring was made by Cleave and Company, Court Jewellers and Medallists to Her Majesty The Queen.

It features three diamonds - one is said the be from Botswana and two from Princess Diana’s collection.

The couple ended months of fevered speculation by announcing their wedding will take place next Spring.

A reporter shouted: "Meghan how are you feeling?

The ring is said to have been designed by Harry himself with two of Diana's diamonds with a central diamond from Botswana and set with a gold band

She replied: "I'm so happy."

The prince was asked: "When did you know she was the one?"

"From the very first time we met," came the reply.

When asked how he proposed and if it was romantic, he said: "Of course, it was."

Ms Markle then beamed as she flashed her engagement ring for the cameras.

The news was confirmed this morning by a “delighted” Prince of Wales in a statement that also revealed the couple became engaged in London earlier this month.

Visiting Poundbury in Dorset the Prince of Wales told reporters he was “thrilled” and “very happy indeed.”

Prince Harry will marry Meghan Markle in spring next year
Jeremy Selwyn

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 statement did not reveal the exact date or location of the ceremony but said further details about the wedding day will be announced “in due course.”

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.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement announcement

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The couple are due to give their first interview for the BBC later today, hours after announcing the happy news.

Two years before the couple began dating, Prince Harry told a friend on a night out that Ms Markle was his "ideal woman".

Clarence House said in a statement: "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.

"His Royal Highness and Ms Markle became engaged in London earlier this month.

"Prince Harry has informed Her Majesty The Queen and other close members of his family.

"Prince Harry has also sought and received the blessing of Ms Markle's parents.

"The couple will live in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace."

Ms Markle's parents wished their daughter "a lifetime of happiness". Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland said their daughter's relationship with Harry was a "source of great joy" to them.

Ms Markle is close to both her parents, who divorced when she was young, and has frequently written about the love and support they have given her.

Mr Markle and Ms Ragland said: "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.

"We wish them a lifetime of happiness and are very excited for their future together."

The romance between fifth in line to the throne Harry and the star of legal drama Suits began in summer last year when they were introduced in London by a mutual friend.

She recently quit her role as Rachel Zane in Suits after filming of season seven came to a close amid rumours she was moving to the UK to be with Harry permanently.

Prince Harry and Ms Markle made their first public appearance together at the Invictus Games in September.

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