Unseen picture of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry caring for elephant in Botswana shortly before he proposed

MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry have shared a previously unseen pic showing them looking after an elephant during a trip to Botswana.

The couple visited the African country in 2017 months before Harry proposed and he has described the romantic destination as "crucial" in allowing them to get closer.

In a photo shared on their new Instagram page, Megan and Harry can be seen attaching a satellite collar on a sedated bull elephant.

The pair were pictured wearing matching khaki hats as they crouched down next to the elephant to fasten the tracker.

They had travelled to Botswana to assist Dr Mike Chase of Elephants Without Borders in the fight against poaching.

“Approximately 100 elephants are poached/killed every day for their ivory tusks,” the Instagram caption reads.

“Using satellite technology allows conservationists to track their critical migratory patterns and to protect them and the local communities from human wildlife conflict.

“The elephant pictured was sedated for just 10 minutes before he was up and back with his herd.

“Tracking his movements has allowed conservationists to better protect him and other elephants and ensure heightened protection for these beautiful creatures moving forward.”

Harry whisked the former Suits star away in 2017 for a surprise holiday to celebrate her 36th birthday, hopping between luxury resorts in the southern African country.

The trip last August came a year into their relationship and a few months before they got engaged.

The holiday meant so much that Harry sourced the diamond in Meghan's engagement ring from Botswana - the world's biggest producer.

The couple also visited Botswana soon after they began dating in July 2016, a trip Harry described in a media interview last year as a "crucial" chance to get to know each other.

“I managed to persuade her to come and join me in Botswana,” he previously told BBC News.

“We camped out with each other under the stars. She came and joined me for five days out there, which was absolutely fantastic.

“So then we were really by ourselves, which was crucial to me to make sure that we had a chance to know each other.”

They are now expecting their first child.

The post was shared before Harry enjoyed a night out with his brother William, and dad Charles at Netflix’s premiere of Sir David Attenborough’s new show.

The three princes attended the global launch of Attenborough’s Our Planet which will be released on the streaming site.