Innholdsfortegnelse for A Royal Engagement i The Royal Family Souvenir Series

On 28 November, when Prince Charles announced the engagement of his youngest son Prince Harry to American actress Meghan Markle, the nation gave a cheer. It’s been over six years since William and Kate delighted us all with their lavish wedding and now, at last, here’s something else to celebrate. The news was a ray of heart-warming sunshine amid the gloom of Brexit and belt-tightening austerity. And when 33-year-old Harry and Meghan, 36, made their debut as an engaged couple later that day, it was clear that theirs is a true love match. Posing together for a photocall in Kensington Gardens, the pair positively glowed with happiness as a radiant Meghan showed off her sparkling ring, designed by Harry and containing diamonds from his mother Diana’s own collection. Asked when…

Their courtship was only 18 months and their chemistry was instant. As Harry and Meghan know, when it’s right it’s right. For a while, the couple managed to keep their relationship private, enjoying the cosy glow of love behind closed doors in Nottingham Cottage. There were whispers here and there, little clues that they were an item. Then, in November 2016, Harry not only confirmed that they were a couple but also put a protective arm around Meghan when he warned the press and social media to back off. The statement from Buckingham Palace said, ‘Prince Harry is worried about Ms Markle’s safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her. It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that…

There was a time you couldn’t buy a pair of L K Bennett nude court shoes-as seen on Kate Middleton - for love nor money. Such is the effect of being a royal bride. And now there’s the Markle effect. Once Meghan wears it, we all want it. From tote bag to sunglasses, coats to frocks, Meghan can make them all fly off the shelves. Now, as royal wedding fever takes hold, everyone is focusing on just the one frock. The wedding dress. It is the most important part of any bride’s big day and doubly so when the whole world is watching. But who will create the most eagerly anticipated dress of 2018? As designers on both sides of the Atlantic hope for a call, we can perhaps look…

Princess Diana is never far away from Prince Harry. She is there in his childhood photographs, screaming with glee on an amusement-park ride, or laying a reassuring hand on her spirited, flame-haired son. She shines out of his warm, fun-loving and compassionate personality, and she is there, at least in spirit, for every milestone that Harry has encountered since losing his beloved mum when he was just 12 years old. Diana certainly shared in the joy of his recent engagement to Meghan. It was surely no coincidence that the happy couple were photographed in the Sunken Garden, Diana’s favourite area of the Kensington Palace grounds. When Harry designed Meghan’s engagement ring, he made sure that the central stone from Botswana was flanked by diamonds from Diana’s personal collection. And as…

For several blissful months, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were able to tuck themselves away and quietly fall in love. But once their secret was out, they had to get used to sharing with the outside world. We have watched their relationship unfold through the headlines. If this was a culture shock for Meghan, she had Harry by her side and together they have gracefully won the affection of press and public. As the royal wedding approaches, it seems we just can’t get enough of Harry and his bride to be. “Prince Harry has spent a significant amount of private and public time in the city and is looking forward to introducing Ms Markle to a community that is very special to him.” Harry, 32, yesterday confirmed the Suits star…

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped out together on their first royal walkabout as an engaged couple, it was clear that they are going to be a huge asset to the royal family. The couple were visiting Nottingham to raise awareness of HIV and Aids, as well as addressing youth crime in the city. Such is their popularity that some of the crowd had been waiting for hours in the freezing cold. They weren’t disappointed. Harry and Meghan were their charming, warm selves, bringing their usual sense of fun along with the personal touch that has characterised all of their royal appearances. It’s the details that count: Meghan picking up a glove that had been dropped, Harry touched to receive the Haribo that someone had thoughtfully brought for him,…

A world away from England’s Royal palaces, Meghan Markle was growing up in America’s sunshine state. Childhood pictures reveal the pretty, smiling face and level gaze of a girl who is very comfortable in front of a camera. Her family nickname was Flower and she was, says her uncle, a happy, special child who always had ‘a magical quality about her’. She didn’t know it yet, but this special girl was going to win the heart of the world’s most eligible bachelor. Before the fairytale ending with her very own prince charming, however, there was a glamorous career to carve out, humanitarian causes to battle and a legion of Twitter fans to win. For although she grew up in the land of Disney, Meghan Markle was not going to be…

It seems only right and fitting that Harry and Meghan should marry in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Not only was Harry baptised there, but the atmospheric church is intimate enough to offer a more personal touch, honouring Harry and Meghan’s wish that their wedding reflect who they are as a couple. That’s not to say it doesn’t have the grandeur befitting a royal occasion: set in the grounds of the Queen’s beloved Windsor Castle, the 14th-century Gothic chapel is steeped in history and visual splendour, from its impressive fan vaulted ceiling to beautiful stained-glass windows. There will also be plenty of room for the great and the good who will be attending. Compared with the 2,000 capacity of Westminster Abbey, where The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall wed…