Could Harry and Meghan announce engagement on TUESDAY? Theresa May cleared her diary for the news last week but courtiers 'rearranged after a palace leak'

Senior courtiers have held a series of meetings to finalise engagement plans
An official announcement is expected in the next few days, possibly Tuesday
Theresa May had cleared her diary on Thursday with announcement 'imminent'
There were claims the news had been accidentally leaked to broadcasters who spooked Kensington Palace when they turned up to film that morning

By Thomas Burrows for MailOnline and Sarah Oliver for Mail on Sunday

Published: 08:54 GMT, 26 November 2017 | Updated: 10:29 GMT, 26 November 2017

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Theresa May cleared her diary on Thursday expecting an announcement on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's engagement - but the couple wrong footed the Prime Minister.

Harry, 33, and Miss Markle, 36, are set to bring months of fevered speculation to an end by announcing their engagement this week, Royal sources have indicated.

The couple's plans appear to have been finalised at a series of last-minute meetings between senior courtiers at Kensington Palace.

An official announcement is now expected in the next few days, with Tuesday thought to be the most likely date.

This is the same day of the week that Harry's brother, the Duke of Cambridge, and his father, the Prince of Wales, chose to share their engagement news with the nation.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's (pictured) plans appear to have been finalised at a series of last-minute meetings between senior courtiers at Kensington Palace. An official announcement is expected in the next few days, with Tuesday thought to be the most likely date

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Mrs May had been told the announcement was timed for Thursday to coincide with the American Thanksgiving celebrations.

There were claims the news had been accidentally leaked to broadcasters who spooked Kensington Palace when they turned up to film that morning.

A source told The Sunday Times Mrs May had been 'primed' for the announcement on Thursday. Yet royal sources 'strongly deny' any suggestion that an announcement was planned for last week.

As well as palace officials briefing the PM, security chiefs are also prepared, with the event set to surpass the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton for global appeal.

Royal insiders say there has been a growing sense of urgency in Palace corridors since American actress Meghan, 36, and 33-year-old Harry (pictured) appeared together at the Invictus Games in Toronto in September

Theresa May (pictured with her husband Philip today) had cleared her diary on Thursday with a Royal announcement 'imminent'

A source told The Sun on Sunday: 'The fact Downing Street was involved is hugely significant. The word 'imminent' was used about the announcement.'

In another sign a royal wedding is imminent Miss Markle was accompanied by bodyguards from the Metropolitan Police's Protection Command on Tuesday.

It was the first time she had been spotted with taxpayer-funded security personnel.

Last night, the house in the Toronto suburbs (pictured) that had been rented by Prince Harry's girlfriend looked to have been vacated for good

Last week, Meghan arrived in London and was spotted looking relaxed during a shopping trip. Her beloved dogs, Bogart and Guy (pictured), are understood to be in quarantine in London

A welcome watershed for Royalty

Eighty-one years ago this month, King Edward VIII was preparing to surrender his throne because of his love for Mrs Wallis Simpson.

'We will not stand for an American divorcee as the wife of our King,' wrote an angry correspondent quoted in one Canadian newspaper.

'If the Monarchy will not observe tradition, then we had better give it up altogether!'

In November 1936, most of Britain and the Empire – and certainly the British Government of the time – agreed.

How times have changed. Time was when divorced persons were not admitted to the Royal Enclosure at Ascot.

Now the bookmakers are saying that November 2017 is the month when Britain will actively welcome an American divorcee, Meghan Markle, into the Royal Family as the future wife of Prince Harry, currently fifth in line to the throne.

Bookmakers have suspended betting amid rumours an announcement was imminent.

The pair could name a date before Christmas and tie the knot early next year.

Royal insiders say there has been a growing sense of urgency in Palace corridors since American actress Meghan, 36, and 33-year-old Harry appeared together at the Invictus Games in Toronto in September.

In the two months which followed, there have been multiple hints that the couple are set to formalise their 18-month transatlantic relationship.

Her role in US TV drama Suits has now come to an end, and her apartment in Toronto is standing empty.

Last week, Meghan arrived in London and was spotted looking relaxed during a shopping trip. Her Labrador shepherd cross, Bogart, and beagle, Guy, are understood to be in quarantine in London.

According to US Weekly, the dogs will 'both have to be microchipped, given a rabies vaccination, plus a blood test 30 days after the rabies vaccination to show it has worked'.

They will also have to be treated against tapeworm and paperwork provided for all of the vaccinations.

In the past few days, a senior official from Buckingham Palace has been seen at Kensington Palace, in a breach of normal protocol.

Over the summer, it became clear Meghan's legal affairs were being looked after by Royal solicitor Harbottle & Lewis, while planned building works at Kensington Palace raised the possibility of a new home in one of the apartments.

At present, Prince Harry lives in Nottingham Cottage in the Palace grounds.

It has also been suggested the couple are hunting for a country retreat in either Norfolk, close to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's home Anmer Hall, or in the West Country.

This year Meghan has spent time with Kate and William, met the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and been introduced to the Queen who must give the marriage her blessing.

In terms of Royal protocol, it is unlikely that all of these things would have happened if Meghan was not set to marry into the House of Windsor.