Prince Charles is ‘thrilled’ by Harry and Meghan’s engagement news
PRINCE Charles is "thrilled" by his son's engagement news.
The Prince of Wales, who was visiting Poundbury in Dorset when Prince Harry's engagement to Meghan Markle was announced, said he is "very happy indeed".
It came after Prince William and Kate said it had been "wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together".
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also said they were "very excited" for the pair, who are set to wed next spring - after Kate and Wills' third child is born.
The Queen, who would have been asked permission by Harry to wed Meghan prior to the proposal, also said she is "delighted".
Harry, 33, announced the engagement this morning after a 16-month whirlwind romance with the 36-year-old Suits actress.
He is said to have asked her family permission to wed the American star before popping the question in London.
Rumours had been flying the pair were engaged after she moved her two dogs into Kensington Palace to live with the prince.
The much-anticipated news was confirmed in a brief statement issued by Clarence House at 10am today.
It read: "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. Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course.
"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."
Responding to the announcement, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said in a statement: "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."
Buckingham Palace added that the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh "are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness".
Ms Markle's parent,s Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland, issued a statement through Kensington Palace saying: "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."
Ms Markle will become an HRH and a senior royal after marrying Harry and joining the Windsors.
She is expected to become a duchess - just like Kate Middleton did when she became the Duchess of Cambridge after saying her vows in 2011.
Prince Charles is in Dorset today to visit a new school, a local business and a retirement community.
Poundbury, which is built on Duchy of Cornwall land on the outskirts of Dorchester, is home to around 3,000 people.
Charles will visit Damers First School to meet staff, students and parents and find out about their community and sustainability programmes.
He will then visit Loop Technology, a family-run business, before meeting residents and staff at Bowes Lyon Court.
How Harry and Meghan's romance blossomed
May - October 2016: 'Besotted' Harry meets his future princess
May 2, 2016 - It is not known exactly when Prince Harry first met the Suits actress but he travelled to Toronto, where Meghan Markle lives to launch the countdown to the Invictus Games. The pair are then believed to have been introduced through friends in London in July last year and started seeing eachother.
Oct 30, 2016 - News of their relationship broke and the prince was described as 'besotted' with the actress. A source described Harry as "happier than he's been for many years".
November 2016 - January 2017: Protective prince defends new love
Nov 8, 2016 - In an unprecedented statement, Harry attacked the media over its "abuse and harassment" of his girlfriend. He claimed Meghan had experienced racism and sexism and even attempts by members of the press to get into her home.
Nov 11, 2016 - Three days later Ms Markle was spotted in London amid unconfirmed reports she was stay at Kensington Palace for the first time.
Dec 6, 2016 - Harry flew straight from his Caribbean tour to Toronto to be with Ms Markle, making a 1,700-mile (2,736 km) detour instead of flying to London.
Dec 13, 2016 - The couple were buying a Christmas tree together in Battersea Park. The tree seller described the pair as "totally happy, cute, couple-y - but not overly mushy and gross".
February 2017 - June 2017: First public kiss and meeting the family
Feb 2, 2017 - Harry and Meghan were spotted holding hands on a date night in London amid claims she had "virtually moved in" with the prince at his two-bedroom bachelor pad Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace.
May 7, 2017 - The couple were photographed kissing in public for the first time at Cowarth Park polo club in Ascot, Berkshire, and just days later she joined Harry at Pippa Middleton's wedding reception.
July 2017 - November 2017: Wedding rumours and engagement announced
July 8 - Meghan was reported to have been spotted trying on wedding dresses, sending rumours of an impending engagement into overdrive.
Sep 5 - Ms Markle graced the cover of US magazine Vanity Fair and spoke openly about Harry for the first time, revealing: ''We're two people who are really happy and in love.''
Sep 25, 2017 - Just days later they appeared hand-in hand at their first official public appearance together at Invictus's wheelchair tennis.
Nov 27, 2017 - After weeks of speculation, Clarence House announced the engagement, and the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh say they are "delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness."
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