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Meet Meghan Markle for whom Prince Harry got down on one knee

Catch Photodesk | Updated on: 28 November 2017, 14:51 IST
Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancée US actress Meghan Markle pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London. (AFP)

Meghan Markle, the 36-year-old Suits actor is set to become the newest member of the British royal family.

Markle, an American actor, humanitarian and lifestyle blogger, grew up in Los Angeles and met Prince Harry through a common friend last year.

AFP

Part Caucasian and part African, she is slated to become the first mixed-race woman to wed into the British royal family. Her maternal great-great-great-grandfather was reportedly a slave on the East American plantations and worked there until slavery was abolished in 1865.

Meanwhile, on her father's side, she is a distant relation of Prince Harry and shares a common ancestor (Elizabeth Bowes) with him.

The couple began dating a year-and-a half ago, and managed to keep their romance hush-hush, until the Kensington Palace released an official statement confirming the same in 2016.

“He got down on one knee,” said Markle in an interview (ABC). The Prince reportedly designed the engagement ring himself that includes a diamond from Botswana, a place where both he and Markle spent time together. Addtionally, the ring includes two diamonds from the personal collection of the Late Princess Diana, Harry’s mother.

"It was just an amazing surprise. It was so sweet, and natural and very romantic,” she added.

About last night. Thank you to my babe @priyankachopra for the best date night #Hamilton #NYC

A post shared by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on

Markle has acted in hit films and television series such as Suits, Horrible Bosses, A Lot Like Love and Anti Social. However, Markle has decided to quit acting after marriage and focus on her humanitarian work.

Markle is currently a global ambassador for World Vision Canada and has worked for international charities such as One Young World and United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women in the past.

With the pending inclusion of Markle into the royal family, the British monarchy will achieve a number of firsts and successfully break free from their age-old practice that strictly prohibited marrying commoners and divorcees.

In addition, Markle will mark the first time British royalty will include a member from Hollywood into their family. Here’s hoping the union will mark a happily ever after for the couple and British royalty.

The wedding is scheduled to take place in spring next year.

First published: 28 November 2017, 14:12 IST