MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Very much anticipated: Prince Harry is to marry American actress Meghan Markle

“His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle”

Prince Harry is to marry his American actress girlfriend Meghan Markle. The much-anticipated news was confirmed on Monday by the Prince of Wales in a brief statement issued by Clarence House.

 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.”

Fifth in line to the throne Harry, 33, has been dating the 36-year-old star, who found fame in the US legal drama Suits, since the summer of 2016.

Their 16-month whirlwind romance blossomed when they met through mutual friends in London and the pair have been almost inseparable in recent months, with Markle said to have virtually moved in to Harry's home at Kensington Palace.

Ms Markle's parents have wished their daughter and Prince Harry “a lifetime of happiness”.

In a joint statement released by Kensington Palace, Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland said their daughter's relationship with the prince was a “source of great joy” to them.

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 Queen and Duke of Edinburgh “are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness”, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.

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”.