No wonder Harry's smiling! Prince looks forward to showing off new girlfriend Meghan to his family as Charles and Camilla fly home (but will the loved-up new couple go public at Twickers tomorrow?) 

  • Harry, 32, and Meghan Markle, 35, have been bunkered down in Kensington Palace over the past week
  • Prince laughed uproariously with schoolchildren whose teacher said they were happy he is in love
  • American-born actress was spotted after shopping trip to Whole Foods store on Kensington High Street
  • Charles, Camilla, William, Kate, the Queen and Prince Philip are all going to be in London this weekend
  • Harry could also take his girlfriend to Twickenham Stadium on Saturday when England take on South Africa

By Richard Kay for the Daily Mail and Martin Robinson, Uk Chief Reporter For Mailonline

Published: 10:49 EST, 11 November 2016 | Updated: 15:07 EST, 11 November 2016

A loved-up Prince Harry could take the chance to introduce Megan Markle to his entire family this weekend or even chose to appear in public together for the first time.

Today Harry led the nation in remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum on Armistice Day but couldn't hide his glee as he laughed with schoolchildren who are happy he has found love.

Harry, 32, and Meghan, 35, have been bunkered down in Kensington Palace this week but their cover was blown when the Suits star was seen leaving a nearby supermarket yesterday.

The prince could now take the chance to show her off to his relatives this weekend because the royals, including the Queen, must all be in London in time for Remembrance Sunday.

The couple could choose to appear in public together for the first time at this weekend's England versus South Africa rugby match, one of Harry's passions. 

Happy man: Prince Harry laughs with schoolchildren at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, and the group said afterwards they were happy he is in love

Chain of events: His father Charles and wife Camilla are flying back to the UK from Bahrain (pictured today) and Prince William is already in London because of a charity event he held last night, attended by Harry's rumoured ex Ellie Goulding, right

Dressed to shop: Prince Harry's girlfriend Meghan Markle is pictured yesterday after a shopping expedition among the organic produce at the three-storey Whole Foods store on Kensington High Street - just down the road from Kensington Palace

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are Harry's near neighbours at the palace and with William hosting a black tie gala in the grounds last night, it is inevitable that the two will have been introduced. 

He is due to be joined by Kate to attend the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall tomorrow night, followed by the official ceremony at the Cenotaph on Sunday.

Prince Charles is flying back from Bahrain today and will be in London over the weekend with his wife Camilla. 

And, unusually, the Queen and Prince Philip will be in London for the next few days too. That means Harry could take the opportunity to introduce his girlfriend to his entire family.  

And the couple could appear in public together for the first time at this weekend's England rugby match, because Harry will be at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday when England take on South Africa in his role as vice patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

This morning Harry boarded a helicopter at Kensington Palace to fly to the Service of Remembrance at the Armed Forces Memorial with representatives from the Army, Navy and RAF to mark Armistice Day.

After laying a wreath at the Armed Forces Memorial, Harry read aloud a poem, The Soldier, by the First World War poet Rupert Brooke, before inspecting the names on the memorial's towering Portland Stone walls. 

As he was leaving he noticed a group of schoolchildren standing opposite the parade dais, who had made the trip from Herefordshire, and went across to say hello.

The 23 children, from Ashperton Primary School near Ledbury, chatted away with the smiling prince, who asked them 'who sat on the back seat of the coach?'

Harry then bid them farewell, adding: 'Enjoy it, make the most of the sunshine.'

The school group also showed support for the prince's relationship with US actress Meghan Markle, with teaching assistant Emma Shelley, saying: 'If he's happy, then what's the problem?'

Teacher Caroline Bullock, who said the youngsters had been studying battles in class, said: 'He's so lovely, he makes the royal family normal, and he's so approachable.'

Concerns: In an extraordinary statement on his love life, Prince Harry, 32, has said he is worried about Meghan Markle's safety following the 'wave of abuse and harassment' she has faced since rumours of their relationship first surfaced two weeks ago

Cosy dinner for two? Miss Markle is staying with Harry at his bijou Kensington Palace home, Nottingham Cottage, which used to be occupied by Prince William and Kate

Meghan's appearance at the local shops yesterday is further evidence that the couple are very serious. 

Over the years royal women have often shopped on Kensington High Street because it is just down the road from Kensington Palace.

Prince Harry's girlfriend Meghan Markle is not – yet – a princess, of course, but yesterday the American-born actress was following this royal tradition.

She is staying with Harry at his bijou Kensington Palace home, Nottingham Cottage, which used to be occupied by Prince William and Kate.

And after a shopping expedition among the organic produce at the three-storey Whole Foods store, the 35-year-old returned to the palace with two bulging shopping bags.

Shoppers no doubt did a double-take at the by-now familiar glamorous features of the girl Harry revealed this week he had been seeing for 'a few months' as she went around buying supplies.

Meanwhile next door Prince William hosted a star-studded party set to raise £1.5million for homeless charity Centrepoint.

The Duke of Cambridge was without his wife Kate for the black tie event also attended by Liz Hurley and superstar record producer Nile Rodgers - but Phil Collins pulled out of a comeback performance because of illness.

Harry was not expected to attend the event - but had he done so it could have been awkward because his rumoured ex-girlfriend Ellie Goulding was the star of the show.

Meghan staying with Harry in London is the clearest indication yet that the relationship between the divorcee and the fifth in line to the throne is 'serious'. 

And the timing of Miss Markle's visit is hugely significant, not least because it appears she was in the UK when Harry publicly declared his love for her.

She is taking time off from filming her popular US television legal drama, Suits, to be with him, telling her producers she had 'something important' to do. 

Some reports yesterday suggested this may have been to see her lawyers after Harry's extraordinary statement confirming their relationship catapulted her into the media spotlight – and of course maybe she did.

It seems more likely, however, that it concerned her decision to fly to London to see her royal beau.

Yesterday, entirely alone, she was dressed for the British winter looking nothing like the glossy red carpet performer with whom Harry became captivated only four months ago. In the chilly November air she was wearing a waxed jacket, leggings and very British navy blue Wellington boots. 

She wore a brown baseball cap similar to the headgear Harry often favours, pulled down low over her brunette hair. Unusually, she was not wearing dark glasses.

Pointedly, a poppy was pinned to her lapel. At the time of her trip to the shops, Prince Harry, 32, was at a solemn ceremony at the Field of Remembrance outside Westminster Abbey.

Clues: The relationship between the two was revealed after they were given away by friendship bracelets they have both worn for months

Racy: The actress with a co-star during a particularly fruity scene in legal drama Suits, in which she played Rachel Zane

Harry's late mother Princess Diana was a regular shopper on Kensington High Street and Kate, from time to time, is seen browsing there, although always shadowed by an official car.

The actress appears to have spent a lot of time in the UK over the summer, posting pictures from London to her one million Instagram followers in June, July, August and September

For someone who divides her time between her home in California and Toronto, where Suits is filmed, Meghan certainly looked as though she knew her way around the busy West London thoroughfare. This suggests it is not the first time she has stayed with him.

In his strongly-worded statement this week Harry accused the media of intrusion and lashed out at the 'sexism and racism of social media trolls'. His message, via his communications secretary Jason Knauf, was that their relationship 'is not a game – it is her life and his'.

The statement added that Harry was 'worried about Miss Markle's safety' and 'deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her'. In the circumstances it is rather surprising that she was unaccompanied.

The royal romance was revealed less than a fortnight ago after they were given away by matching friendship bracelets both have worn for months. 

Yesterday she was wearing the distinctive beaded bracelet as she strolled back to the palace with her purchases, which included a Whole Planet Foundation bag for life. The bracelet has often featured in photographs Miss Markle, who shares Harry's fondness for Africa and humanitarian work, has posted on social media.

The actress appears to have spent a lot of time in the UK over the summer, posting pictures from London to her one million Instagram followers in June, July, August and September. 

She was seen in the players' box at Wimbledon on June 28 – the same day Harry appeared on stage with Coldplay in West London. And she appears to have been in the UK three weeks ago, posting a photograph of herself in a Sainsbury's supermarket.

Days before the story broke, Harry flew to Canada and reportedly stayed at her Toronto home. Last night royal insiders admitted that her presence at his home indicates that the relationship is serious.

'To come and go at a royal home is a very concrete sign that they have become extremely close,' said a courtier. Although linked to a number of women including singer Ellie Goulding, Harry has been single since he split from previous long-term girlfriend Cressida Bonas more than two years ago.

Kensington Palace last night declined to comment.

In the public eye: Harry's new girlfriend Miss Markle is pictured leaving her home in Toronto in Canada last Thursday - now she is in London

Last Sunday Harry scrapped a secret trip to Canada to meet Miss Markle (pictured on Friday) after details of their relationship emerged. The actress has also likely dated Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy and Canadian star chef Cory Vitiello

 

PS: IT'S NO WONDER HE'S GOT A SMILE ON HIS FACE!

Sparkling: Harry at a Remembrance ceremony yesterday

It was a solemn occasion but Prince Harry still found plenty to smile about yesterday. 

While his new love was shopping, he chatted to veterans and relatives of fallen servicemen and women at a ceremony ahead of Armistice Day today.

The event was Harry's first public engagement since he confirmed his relationship with Miss Markle.

Harry and his grandfather Prince Philip paid tribute to the nation's war dead at Westminster Abbey's Field of Remembrance, laying small wooden crosses in memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Among those Harry met was Alec Borrie, one of the last surviving members of the SAS who fought in France in 1944. 

The prince was dressed in his ceremonial uniform of Household Division frock coat and peaked cap, and sported a beard – something Army officers are not allowed to do on parade. 

But Harry can because he left the Army last year.

 

Chelsy, Cressida and Florence: Harry's former girlfriends 

Prince Harry's romantic entanglements over the years have centred on two long-terms loves - Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas.

But these relationships failed to last the course and now new girlfriend Meghan Markle is the bookmakers' favourite to be Harry's bride. Here's a look at the prince's past relationships:

Former flames: Harry has had past relationships with Chelsy Davy, Florence Brudenell-Bruce and Cressida Bonas

:: Chelsy Davy

Zimbabwean-born Chelsy was the first to truly capture Harry's heart.

They spent about six years together and coped with a long-distance relationship while the prince was training in the Army and overseas and Chelsy was at university in South Africa.

Harry and Chelsy split in early 2009 - and although they later went on to rekindle their relationship, the reunion was not permanent.

:: Florence Brudenell-Bruce

Following his final break-up with Chelsy, Harry had a brief affair with Florence Brudenell-Bruce, a descendant of the seventh Earl of Cardigan, in the summer of 2011.

Lingerie model Florence, known to her friends as Flee, also dated Formula 1 racing driver Jenson Button, but is now married to multi-millionaire Henry St George.

:: Cressida Bonas

Harry's last serious relationship was with Cressida Bonas. They began dating in May 2012 after being introduced by his cousin and her close friend, Princess Eugenie.

Described in the press as a 'blue blooded butterfly', Cressida is the daughter of renowned Old Harrovian businessman Jeffrey Bonas and Sixties It girl Lady Mary-Gaye Curzon.

The pair were widely tipped to walk up the aisle. But they split up in April 2014, saying they remained 'the best of friends'.

:: The rumours

Harry has been linked with numerous other women over the years including singer Ellie Goulding, who he was reportedly seen kissing away from prying eyes during a polo match in Berkshire.

There were also suggestions the prince was smitten with Doctor Who actress Jenna Coleman after they were spotted enjoying each other's company at another polo match, while he was once reportedly seen in a clinch with former Miss Edinburgh Camilla Thurlow.

Actress Emma Watson became the subject of speculation last year when an Australian magazine reported that she and Harry were an item, but the Harry Potter star appeared to deny the claim on Twitter. 

MEGHAN MARKLE: HOW THE ACTRESS IS AN ACTIVE HUMANITARIAN CAMPAIGNER 

Meghan Markle is best known for her role as Rachel Zane in hit US TV drama Suits

Meghan Markle - best known for her role as Rachel Zane in hit US TV drama Suits - has been confirmed as Prince Harry's girlfriend by Kensington Palace.

The Californian actress, 35, is an active humanitarian campaigner - particularly on the topic of gender equality - and was this year named global ambassador for World Vision Canada.

Her activism started at a young age. At 11 she forced a soap manufacturer to alter an advert after she wrote a letter to then first lady Hillary Clinton and other high-profile figures complaining that it implied women belonged in the kitchen.

Rumoured to have met Harry, 32, in May while he was in Canada promoting Invictus Games Toronto 2017, she has kept her romantic life separate from her social media presence.

Miss Markle was born on August 4 1981, to a clinical therapist mother and TV lighting director father, and grew up in Los Angeles.

She studied at a girls' Roman Catholic college before graduating from Northwestern University School of Communication in 2003, just as her acting career was beginning.

Miss Markle first hit US screens when she featured in an episode of the medical drama General Hospital in 2002, before moving on to roles in CSI, Without A Trace and Castle.

In September 2011 she married film producer Trevor Engelson, but the pair divorced less than two years later.

Miss Markle was born in 1981, to a clinical therapist mother and TV lighting director father, and grew up in Los Angeles

By 2011 she had starred in three major Hollywood films: Get Him To The Greek and Remember Me in 2010 and Horrible Bosses in 2011.

A self-proclaimed foodie and beauty, fashion and travel enthusiast, she founded the lifestyle blog thetig.com, which has more than 106,000 followers on Instagram and 11,000 on Twitter.

She said setting up the website was an attempt to 'reframe the beauty content to include think pieces about self-empowerment' and feature dynamic, inspirational women.

In a post on the thetig.com explaining how she balances her fame and activism, she said: 'I've never wanted to be a lady who lunches - I've always wanted to be a woman who works.'

Her socio-political activism has become increasingly important to her in recent years, with her work in Africa a passion she and Harry have in common.

She has carried out charity work in the continent after her parents exposed her to extreme poverty in countries such as Jamaica as a child. She travelled to Rwanda for the Clean Water Campaign, while Harry has recently spent time in Malawi.

Her commitment to gender equality has seen her work with United Nations Women, where she received a standing ovation for a speech made on International Women's Day.

Commenting on how she combines her glamorous lifestyle with her humanitarian commitments, she said: 'While my life shifts from refugee camps to red carpets, I choose them both because these worlds can, in fact, co-exist. And for me, they must.'

It's no wonder Harry's head has been turned by a celebrity - so was his father's... it runs in the family!

It's little surprise that Prince Harry has been captivated by a famous face - and it seems that it runs in the family.

His father, Prince Charles, famously forged a close friendship with Seventies soul star and Three Degrees singer Sheila Ferguson.

Miss Ferguson, now 69, has always made clear that there was no romantic involvement, although Charles, who had met the band before, invited the Three Degrees to perform at his 30th birthday party in November 1978 – and is said to have been so besotted with Miss Ferguson that he made amorous advances.

The singer, whose hits include When Will I See You Again and Woman In Love, has said in the past that she refused to let anything happen – but asked now whether she had contemplated the possibility of her and the prince becoming an item, she replied: 'Let's be real.

'There's never going to be a black queen of England, so there was no future in it.'

Miss Ferguson, now 69, has always made clear that there was no romantic involvement, although Charles, who had met the band before, invited the Three Degrees to perform at his 30th birthday party in November 1978 – and is said to have been so besotted with Miss Ferguson that he made amorous advances

The singer, whose hits include When Will I See You Again and Woman In Love, has said in the past that she refused to let anything happen

Miss Ferguson, who has been performing in David Gest's Legends Of Soul Tour, said: 'Charles and I got on so well because we come from such different backgrounds.

'When he's one-on-one, he's got such a great sense of humour but he's always a gentleman.'

The divorced mother of two still has personal letters the prince sent her.

She said: 'He's a nice guy. We did a lot for charity.

'Obviously once he got married [to Diana, in 1981] there was no contact unless it was about business or an event or whatever.'

Miss Ferguson, who is an ambassador of The Prince's Trust, added: 'The Press have always speculated that something went on between me and Charles, and they always will.

'I don't care how many times I deny it, they always write it.

'Until my book comes out they're not going to know the truth, which is that we were never intimate at all.

'I will explain why when I write it, and it's very complicated.' 

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