Prince Harry announces engagement to US actress Meghan Markle

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have ended weeks of speculation by announcing their engagement.

The couple's news came via a public announcement from Clarence House on Monday morning UK time.

The wedding is set to take place in European Spring 2018, with further announcements on the date coming in due course.

It was also revealed that the couple, who have been dating for about 16 months, became engaged at the start of the month and that the 33-year-old royal received the blessing of Ms Markle's parents.

Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland wished the couple a "lifetime of happiness" together.

"We are incredibly happy for Meghan and Harry. Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person," they said in a statement.

"To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for us as parents."

To celebrate the happy news, Harry and the 36-year-old actress, who recently quit her role in legal drama Suits ahead of an expected engagement announcement, will take part in a live TV interview later on Monday UK time.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were quick to comment on the engagement, revealing their delight via a message from Kensington Palace.

"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," they said.

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The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh also moved to congratulate the couple via the Royal Family's Twitter page.

The tweet read: "The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness."

The couple will live in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace, where Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge lived when they first got married.

Known as the Nott Cott, it is a two-bedroom property, bordering London's Hyde Park where Prince Harry currently lives.

The UK Prime Minister Theresa May also offered her "warmest congratulations" to the couple.

"This is a time of huge celebration for two people in love," Ms May said.

"On behalf of myself, the government and the country, I wish them great happiness for the future."

Former Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "Congratulations to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Wonderful news and I wish them a long and happy life together."

The couple are expected to tie the knot in May.

Online bookies Betfair have made May the clear favourite for the pair to get hitched at odds-on ahead of March and April.

Katie Baylis, Betfair spokesperson, said: "It's the announcement the world has been eagerly awaiting and after some intense speculation over the last few days, the couple have now confirmed their engagement and a Spring wedding".

"May is the favourite at 2/5, with April or May both at 10/3 but with the Duchess of Cambridge due to give birth in April you would expect they would wait until after the baby is born."

While it has not been confirmed where Harry and Meghan will tie the knot, Westminster Abbey - where his brother Prince William married Duchess Catherine in April 2011 - is expected to be the preferred destination.

Katie added: "Westminster Abbey is the 1/12 favourite for the venue of the wedding, ahead of Windsor Castle at 2/1 and St Pauls, where his parents were married, at 5/1."