Prince Harry and Meghan Markle release loved-up Christmas pictures to mark their engagement
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have released new photos to celebrate their engagement, with the actress making a statement in an Aussie-designed dress.
PRINCE Harry and his fiance Meghan Markle have released three romantic photos to celebrate their engagement.
The clearly loved-up couple smile and embrace in the two striking images captured by celebrity photographer Alexi Lubomirski, who has shot stars such as Angelina Jolie and Julia Roberts.
Markle was wearing a risqué see-through designer dress by Ralph & Russo, a high-end label run by Aussie couple Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo. The showstopping dress is rumoured to be worth a staggering $97,000.
In another of the pics, Markle also sported a Victoria Beckham jumper.
The photos prominently display Ms Markle’s engagement ring, which was commissioned by Harry and includes two diamonds from the collection of his mother, Princess Diana, and another from Botswana, where he took his fiance on one of their first dates.
The photos were taken in the grounds of Windsor Castle — where Harry, 33, and Markle, 36, will tie the knot on May 19 in what promises to be royal event of the year.
There is also speculation that Frogmore House will be the venue of the couple’s reception following Harry’s cousin Peter Phillips’ wedding bash there in 2008.
“It was an incredible honour to be asked to document this wonderful event, but also a great privilege to be invited to share and be a witness to this young couple’s love for one another,” Mr Lubomirski said.
“I cannot help but smile when I look at the photos that we took of them, such was their happiness together.”
The glamorous Ms Markle has been embraced by the public and the royal family has quickly welcomed her into its fold, inviting her to official events before the marriage. Usually only royal family members and their spouses are invited to such events.
The former American actress joined Harry at a Christmas lunch for the royal family on Wednesday at Buckingham Palace. They joined at least 50 other royals — including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
The lunch at Buckingham Palace was the first time Ms Markle met some of Harry’s more distant relatives ahead of their wedding.
Prince George was seen in a blue jacket with mum Kate, as he peered out the window of the Range Rover, which was driven by Prince William.
Also in attendance were Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, who was wearing a green jacket, and Prince Charles.
Princess Eugenie was also spotted being driven into the Palace in a festive red dress.
The annual lunch at Buckingham Palace is usually held a week before Christmas and the invitation is extended to lesser-known royals. Ms Markle will be the first royal fiancee to spend Christmas Day at Sandringham with the Queen this year.
Traditionally, couples have to be married before attending the dinner in Norfolk together but the Queen has made an exception this year.
Harry and Ms Markle have displayed close affection to each other in public appearances. When they announced their engagement in a televised interview in November, they held hands and looked into each others’ eyes as they answered questions about their relationship.
At their first public outing as a couple in Nottingham, the pair held their arms around each other as they waved to the crowds.
Meanwhile in Norfolk, the Queen took a train ride with Prince Philip to Kings Lynne as they made their way to Sandringham for Christmas.
Police scoured the area before the Queen’s arrival just after 12pm (11pm AEDT).
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