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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appear together for first time as engaged couple – live Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appear together for first time as engaged couple – live
(35 minutes later)
Here’s a close up picture of the engagement ring and it’s a biggie. Will Meghan Markle, an American national, need to apply for a visa to join her soon-to-be spouse in the UK? Downing Street declined to comment to reporters who asked the question at this morning’s lobby briefing and directed the question to the House Office.
The Home Office “does not comment on individual cases” but pointed the Guardian towards the rules for family visas, which are needed if you wish to remain in the UK with your spouse or fiance.
The decision is usually made within eight weeks and will cost £993, or £1,583 if Meghan decides to use the premium service. There are restrictions, including if you cannot prove your knowledge of English or your spouse does not meet the minimum income requirement of £18,000 or cash savings above £16,000, but that is unlikely to be an issue for the couple.
It is not clear which visa Meghan is currently using to be in the UK, but if she is here on a visitor visa, under the official system, she would need to leave the UK in order to apply for her family visa.
Hysteria ensues.
Meghan appeared for her first photocall as Harry’s fiancee in a white coat by the Canadian brand Line the Label, as well as a dress by Parosh.
Immediately after the appearance, Line the Label’s website crashed because of the numbers of people trying to access its site.
Still no word from Trump.
He’s sent three tweets in the last 45 minutes. Washington DC is five hours behind UK time.
As previously discussed, the diplomatic course of action would be to congratulate them. But Markle did once call the president of the US “misogynistic”.
What will he do?
Here’s a few more pictures of the happy couple in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace:
Here’s a close up picture of the engagement ring – and it’s a biggie.
A large media crowd has gathered outside Kensington Palace, the dormitory for the younger royals, with royal fans also gathered politely out of the view of the cameras.A large media crowd has gathered outside Kensington Palace, the dormitory for the younger royals, with royal fans also gathered politely out of the view of the cameras.
At one point a cheer went up from a crowd gathered by the fence of the palace when the couple apparently appeared briefly in the grounds.At one point a cheer went up from a crowd gathered by the fence of the palace when the couple apparently appeared briefly in the grounds.
Averil Edwards, from Chicago, and Melanie Edwards, from St Louis, were on their way to visit the palace’s Princess Diana exhibit.Averil Edwards, from Chicago, and Melanie Edwards, from St Louis, were on their way to visit the palace’s Princess Diana exhibit.
“I just found out and I’m - it’s exciting!” Averil said. “I just found out ... it’s exciting!” Averil said.
“I was like, woah, mixing it up there,” Melanie added, referring to Markle’s mixed racial background. “It’s great how he protected her too when all of the press controversy was going on,” she added.
“It’s great how he protected her too when all of the press controversy was going on,” Averil said. Tony Appleton, from Chelmsford, Essex, was standing close to the TV crews in full town crier regalia, with a self-made scroll proclaiming the engagement: “I had a little phone call this morning, very early. I can’t disclose my source but I was up here outside the palace at 8am, had my scroll ready, to make the announcement.
Tony Appleton, from Chelmsford, Essex, was standing close to the TV crews in full town crier regalia, with a self-made scroll proclaiming the engagement. “I had a little phone call this morning, very early. I can’t disclose my source but I was up here outside the palace at 8am, had my scroll ready, to make the announcement. “I did a cry outside Buckingham Palace about 9.30-10am, before I got told off by police.”
“I did a cry outside Buckingham Palace about 9.30-10am, before I got told off by Police.”
Tony Appleton, self appointed town crier from Chelmsford, Essex, is among the royal fans outside Kensington Palace pic.twitter.com/5hf9vmfue1Tony Appleton, self appointed town crier from Chelmsford, Essex, is among the royal fans outside Kensington Palace pic.twitter.com/5hf9vmfue1
Ring update here from ITV’s royal editor:Ring update here from ITV’s royal editor:
We have just been told Meghan’s ring made from 3 stones: one from Botswana (where couple holidayed recently) and 2 diamonds from his mother Diana’s personal collectionWe have just been told Meghan’s ring made from 3 stones: one from Botswana (where couple holidayed recently) and 2 diamonds from his mother Diana’s personal collection
The first pictures of Harry and Meghan’s engagement photo call have landed. Here’s a selection. The first pictures of Harry and Meghan’s engagement photocall have landed. Here’s a selection.
Harry and Meghan have appeared for a photocall in the gardens of Kensington palace Harry and Meghan have appeared for a photocall in the gardens of Kensington palace Dressed in a navy blue suit, Harry appeared holding Meghan’s hand. She was dressed in a white overcoat.
Dressed in a dark blue suit, Harry appeared holding Meghan’s hand. She was dressed in a white overcoat.
Assembled reporters shouted questions at the couple. Asked how he proposed, Harry replied: “That will come later.”Assembled reporters shouted questions at the couple. Asked how he proposed, Harry replied: “That will come later.”
Was it romantic? another reporter asked. “Was it romantic?” another reporter asked.
“Of course it was,” Harry said.“Of course it was,” Harry said.
He said he was “thrilled” to be engaged, while Meghan said she was “very happy”. He said he was “thrilled” to be engaged, while Meghan said she was “so very happy”.
Asked when he knew Meghan was “the one”, he replied “the very first time” they met.Asked when he knew Meghan was “the one”, he replied “the very first time” they met.
She was asked to show reporters the ring and obliged.She was asked to show reporters the ring and obliged.
Jonathan Munro, the BBC’s head of newsgathering, has confirmed Harry and Meghan will be interviewed by Mishal Husain on behalf of all broadcasters, and it will air at 6pm.Jonathan Munro, the BBC’s head of newsgathering, has confirmed Harry and Meghan will be interviewed by Mishal Husain on behalf of all broadcasters, and it will air at 6pm.
To confirm, @MishalHusainBBC will interview Prince #Harry & #MeghanMarkle today on behalf of all broadcasters. See it across @BBCNews, 6pm.To confirm, @MishalHusainBBC will interview Prince #Harry & #MeghanMarkle today on behalf of all broadcasters. See it across @BBCNews, 6pm.
He has yet to tweet today, and the prolific social media ranter Donald Trump faces a dilemma.He has yet to tweet today, and the prolific social media ranter Donald Trump faces a dilemma.
The diplomatic course of action, as the leader of Britain’s closest ally, would be to congratulate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. However, the future princess has been critical of the US president, branding him “misogynistic”.The diplomatic course of action, as the leader of Britain’s closest ally, would be to congratulate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. However, the future princess has been critical of the US president, branding him “misogynistic”.
The prospect of Trump attending the ceremony is an unlikely one. With the level of protection that surrounds an American president, the inclusion of Trump would give security chiefs a headache as they work to police the high-profile event.The prospect of Trump attending the ceremony is an unlikely one. With the level of protection that surrounds an American president, the inclusion of Trump would give security chiefs a headache as they work to police the high-profile event.
Trump’s appearance could also spark mass protests.Trump’s appearance could also spark mass protests.
When Theresa May offered Trump an early invite for a state visit, the decision proved controversial with polls suggesting up to two million people would take to the streets to demonstrate should the trip go ahead.When Theresa May offered Trump an early invite for a state visit, the decision proved controversial with polls suggesting up to two million people would take to the streets to demonstrate should the trip go ahead.
In 2011, the then US president, Barack Obama, and the first lady, Michelle Obama, were not invited to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding, reportedly because of the added security cost. But they were feted with a state visit to the UK a month later.In 2011, the then US president, Barack Obama, and the first lady, Michelle Obama, were not invited to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding, reportedly because of the added security cost. But they were feted with a state visit to the UK a month later.
Should Trump travel to the UK for a state visit, it would be expected that the newly royal Markle would meet him and join guests at the state banquet. But Markle, who backed Hillary Clinton for president, suggested in a television interview in 2016 that she would leave the US for Canada if Trump won.Should Trump travel to the UK for a state visit, it would be expected that the newly royal Markle would meet him and join guests at the state banquet. But Markle, who backed Hillary Clinton for president, suggested in a television interview in 2016 that she would leave the US for Canada if Trump won.
She said: “We film Suits in Toronto and I might just stay in Canada. I mean come on, if that’s reality we are talking about, come on, that is a gamechanger in terms of how we move in the world here.”She said: “We film Suits in Toronto and I might just stay in Canada. I mean come on, if that’s reality we are talking about, come on, that is a gamechanger in terms of how we move in the world here.”
Markle told Larry Wilmore’s Nightly Show in the US: “Yes, of course Trump is divisive.Markle told Larry Wilmore’s Nightly Show in the US: “Yes, of course Trump is divisive.
“Think about just female voters alone. I think it was in 2012, the Republican party lost the female vote by 12 points. That’s a huge number and as misogynistic as Trump is and so vocal about it, that’s a huge chunk of it.”“Think about just female voters alone. I think it was in 2012, the Republican party lost the female vote by 12 points. That’s a huge number and as misogynistic as Trump is and so vocal about it, that’s a huge chunk of it.”
For the 1981 wedding of Harry’s parents, the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer, Ronald Reagan did not attend but his wife, Nancy Reagan, did. This could be an option for Harry, who has already met the current first lady, Melania Trump.For the 1981 wedding of Harry’s parents, the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer, Ronald Reagan did not attend but his wife, Nancy Reagan, did. This could be an option for Harry, who has already met the current first lady, Melania Trump.
The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, will be expected to receive one of the sought-after invites, along with other Commonwealth leaders from across the globe.The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, will be expected to receive one of the sought-after invites, along with other Commonwealth leaders from across the globe.
The UK Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, wished Harry and Meghan well, after party members booed when reporters asked him about the engagement.The UK Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, wished Harry and Meghan well, after party members booed when reporters asked him about the engagement.
After he gave a speech in Glasgow, Corbyn ignored the booing by activists and said: “I wish them well, I hope they have a great time and great fun together, and having met Harry a couple of times I’m sure they’re going to have a great deal of fun.”After he gave a speech in Glasgow, Corbyn ignored the booing by activists and said: “I wish them well, I hope they have a great time and great fun together, and having met Harry a couple of times I’m sure they’re going to have a great deal of fun.”
Corbyn added: “I really do admire the way that Harry and his brother have drawn attention to mental health conditions all across the country.Corbyn added: “I really do admire the way that Harry and his brother have drawn attention to mental health conditions all across the country.
“I wish him well, thank him for what he has done on mental health, hope they have a great life together.”“I wish him well, thank him for what he has done on mental health, hope they have a great life together.”
Details of the venue and timing of the wedding are expected to be released on Tuesday with aides only saying it will be “a happy church wedding”.Harry is understood to have told his close staff two weeks ago that he wanted to make the engagement public today and planning has been under way since then. The couple got engaged this month in London.The delay in making the announcement was partly due to Markle needing to finish filming on Suits, which she did the week before last. The pair are due to give a broadcast interview this evening after posing for photos this afternoon outside Kensington Palace, where they will live in the two-bedroom Nottingham Cottage.Details of the venue and timing of the wedding are expected to be released on Tuesday with aides only saying it will be “a happy church wedding”.Harry is understood to have told his close staff two weeks ago that he wanted to make the engagement public today and planning has been under way since then. The couple got engaged this month in London.The delay in making the announcement was partly due to Markle needing to finish filming on Suits, which she did the week before last. The pair are due to give a broadcast interview this evening after posing for photos this afternoon outside Kensington Palace, where they will live in the two-bedroom Nottingham Cottage.
You can share your joy at the royal engagement, or frustration at its domination of the news agenda, elsewhere on the Guardian website.
Given that Markle is not a UK citizen, assuming the normal rules reply, she will have to get a visa to get married in Britain.
The Press Association says:
The rule is that all non-European nationals must obtain a visa if they want to come to the UK in order to marry. Markle could apply for a family visa if she wants to live with fiance Harry in the UK for more than six months.
Fees range from £993 to £1,583. Decisions by the Home Office can be made on the same day via the premium service or sometimes take up to 12 weeks.
There is unlikely to be any hold-up for the future HRH.
It also says that it is not a given that Markle will become a British citizen.
When the Canadian Autumn Phillips married the Queen’s grandson Peter Phillips, she said: ‘I’m happy being Canadian and I’m proud of where I come from. So I’ll keep my passport.’
Their children, Savannah and Isla Phillips, are said to hold dual British and Canadian citizenship, which would pave the way for dual citizenship for any children Harry and his bride might have.
Outside Buckingham Palace this morning hundreds of tourists were gathered for the changing of the guard, but news of the engagement had apparently not yet filtered through. Those present had to be told of the happy news.
“I’m happy for him, that’s about it really,” said Deryck Toney, who was sightseeing while on holiday from Virginia. “I think if he’s in love with her and she’s in love with him they should go on and be married and live a happy life.”
Jessica Parsons, from Los Angeles, and her friends looked up Harry and Meghan on Google before giving their opinion. “It’s exciting that he’s engaged to an American, I think that’s every American girl’s dream,” she said.
“Now there’s hope for us Americans, for American girls,” she added, but a friend quickly pointed out that the next eligible royal bachelor, Prince George, was some years away from an engagement.
Francis Essel, from Ghana, said he was in the UK for the first time. He said he was enjoying the changing of the guard. Asked about Prince Harry’s engagement, he said: “I don’t know much about him.”
The one Briton the Guardian was able to find was a tour guide who had been showing Essel and others from his party the sights. “Personally I couldn’t care less, but for my job I have to take an interest,” she said.
“I hope it will never be on the front page when there are so many other important things happening. I bet Theresa [May] will be pleased; we’ve got a royal wedding as a distraction.”
Nevertheless, she said she had nothing against Harry, and it was a good thing that his marrying a mixed race woman would introduce a bit of diversity into the royal family. But, she added: “He’s the spare anyway, he’s not important. He’s not even the spare now, he’s way down the line.”
Republic, a campaign group calling for the abolition of the monarchy, put out a statement that, in its brevity, dripped with distain.
“Congratulations,” Graham Smith of Republic said.
The tributes are pouring in.
The prime minister, Theresa May, says “this is a time of huge celebration for two people in love”.
I would like to offer my very warmest congratulations to HRH Prince Harry and Meghan Markle upon their engagement. This is a time of huge celebration for two people in love and, on behalf of myself, the Government and the country, I wish them great happiness for the future. https://t.co/Sfx76X98BW
The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who is likely to wed the couple, wished them “many years of love”.
I’m absolutely delighted to hear the news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are now engaged. I wish them many years of love, happiness and fulfilment – and ask that God blesses them throughout their married life together.
The foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, took time out from exposing British citizens to increased jail terms overseas to offer “huge congratulations”.
HUGE congratulations to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - fantastic news! Here's to a happy and long life together https://t.co/pdaoOMv9EG
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, wished the pair a lifetime of happiness together.
Congratulations to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Wishing them a lifetime of love and happiness together.
The former Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, who will presumably be interested in American Markle’s immigration status, also offered congratulations.
Congratulations to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle! https://t.co/q12u2c60Ye
Meghan Markle will become a duchess or princess after she weds Prince Harry, the Press Association reports.
Tradition dictates that royal men receive a title when they marry, with Harry expected to become the Duke of Sussex.
On the morning of his wedding, the prince is likely to be given a dukedom by his grandmother, the Queen. His new wife would become both an HRH and a duchess after saying her vows.
But Harry – whose full name is Prince Henry of Wales – could turn down a title. In this case, Meghan would be known as HRH Princess Henry of Wales. She is not entitled to be Princess Meghan, though this may be how she becomes known in the media and to the public.
It is likely that Harry will accept the Queen’s offer of a dukedom as is the convention, like his brother, Prince William, who was made the Duke of Cambridge, and his uncle Prince Andrew, who became the Duke of York.
Meghan Markle is an American actress best known for her role in the US TV series Suits. She rose to fame playing the law student Rachel Zane in the legal drama after parts in CSI: Miami, the sci-fi show Fringe and movies such as Remember Me and Horrible Bosses.
The 36-year-old Californian is a global ambassador for World Vision Canada and campaigns for gender equality in her role as a women’s advocate for the UN. She has her own clothing line and had a fashion and lifestyle website thetig.com.
In her own words, she said she was “an actress, a writer, the editor-in-chief of my lifestyle brand The Tig, a pretty good cook, and a firm believer in handwritten notes”.
In what was seen as a sign of Markle getting ready to marry into the royals, she brought an abrupt end to her blog in April 2017. She removed all posts and closed the site, posting a message that began: “After close to three beautiful years on this adventure with you, it’s time to say goodbye to The Tig.” But she gave no explanation as to why she had made her decision.
In September 2017, her engagement to Harry looked set when she appeared on the cover of the US magazine Vanity Fair and talked about her relationship.
“We’re two people who are really happy and in love,” she said.
She was born on 4 August 1981 to her clinical therapist mother, Doria Radlan, and her TV lighting director father, Thomas Markle. She grew up in Los Angeles, and studied at a girls’ Roman Catholic college. Her parents divorced when she was six.
Markle has written about her mixed heritage – her father is caucasian and of Dutch and Irish descent and her mother is African American – and how it created “a grey area surrounding my self-identification”.
Markle graduated from Northwestern University in theatre and international relations.
Markle’s parents, Doria Radlan and Thomas Markle, wished their daughter and Harry “a lifetime of happiness”, adding: “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.”
Harry’s gran, the Queen, was one of the first to express her delight at the announcement.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh both said they were “delighted” for their grandson and his bride-to-be, and “wish them every happiness”.
His dad, Princes Charles, told reporters at a series of appearances in Dorset that the development was “very good” and added: “Thrilled for them both. They’ll be very happy indeed.”
Harry’s brother and sister-in-law, Prince William and Kate, 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.”
Welcome to live coverage of the announcement that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaged.
Clarence House revealed the betrothal in a brief statement. “His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle,” it said.
Social media and news organisations exploded with joy, disdain, excitement and in some cases antipathy.