Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to set up home at Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle will set up home in Nottingham Cottage, in Kensington Palace, with their marriage planned for Spring 2018.
Meghan has been visiting Harry at the cosy cottage, which is one of the smallest properties on the grand royal estate, during their whirlwind romance.
Harry’s bachelor pad was previously home to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge before the couple moved into a 20-room apartment inside the palace.
When Harry moved into the cottage he was reportedly quick to set up a hammock in its small walled garden.
Meghan is said to have already virtually moved in to Harry’s cottage during the couple’s 16-month romance.
But, it may be something of a starter home for the married couple with two bedrooms, a small living room, kitchen and bathroom.
There had been rumours that Harry had his eyes on grander accommodation for his new American bride, possibly eyeing up the 21-room apartment next door to his brother’s.
It may be that, similarly to Prince William and Catherine, the couple move to a larger property as they start a family.
Prince Harry and Suits actress Meghan are set for a spring wedding next year after the smitten royal popped the question in London earlier this month.
A palace spokesman today said: “His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the enaggemnt of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle.
“The wedding will take place in Spring 2018.
“Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course.”
It's Nott-y but nice
NICKNAMED “Nott Cott” by the royal courtiers, Nottingham Cottage in London was the bachelor pad of Prince Harry after he left the Army.
He moved out in 2011 so Kate and William could have it as their first marital home before their move to Anmer Hall, near Sandringham, Norfolk.
Harry moved back into the two-bedroom property, which was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, in 2013 and has been there ever since.
It is the smallest home on the Kensington Palace estate and was previously occupied by Princess Diana’s sister Lady Jane Fellowes and her husband Sir Robert Fellowes, the Queen’s former secretary.
How Harry and Meghan's romance blossomed
May – October 2016: ‘Besotted’ Harry meets his future princess
May 2, 2016 – It is not known exactly when Prince Harry first met the Suits actress but he travelled to Toronto, where Meghan Markle lives to launch the countdown to the Invictus Games. The pair are then believed to have been introduced through friends in London in July last year and started seeing eachother.
Oct 30, 2016 – News of their relationship broke and the prince was described as ‘besotted’ with the actress. A source described Harry as “happier than he’s been for many years”.
November 2016 – January 2017: Protective prince defends new love
Nov 8, 2016 – In an unprecedented statement, Harry attacked the media over its “abuse and harassment” of his girlfriend. He claimed Meghan had experienced racism and sexism and even attempts by members of the press to get into her home.
Nov 11, 2016 – Three days later Ms Markle was spotted in London amid unconfirmed reports she was stay at Kensington Palace for the first time.
Dec 6, 2016 – Harry flew straight from his Caribbean tour to Toronto to be with Ms Markle, making a 1,700-mile (2,736 km) detour instead of flying to London.
Dec 13, 2016 – The couple were buying a Christmas tree together in Battersea Park. The tree seller described the pair as “totally happy, cute, couple-y – but not overly mushy and gross”.
February 2017 – June 2017: First public kiss and meeting the family
Feb 2, 2017 – Harry and Meghan were spotted holding hands on a date night in London amid claims she had “virtually moved in” with the prince at his two-bedroom bachelor pad Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace.
May 7, 2017 – The couple were photographed kissing in public for the first time at Cowarth Park polo club in Ascot, Berkshire, and just days later she joined Harry at Pippa Middleton’s wedding reception.
July 2017 – November 2017: Wedding rumours and engagement announced
July 8 – Meghan was reported to have been spotted trying on wedding dresses, sending rumours of an impending engagement into overdrive.
Sep 5 – Ms Markle graced the cover of US magazine Vanity Fair and spoke openly about Harry for the first time, revealing: ”We’re two people who are really happy and in love.”
Sep 25, 2017 – Just days later they appeared hand-in hand at their first official public appearance together at Invictus’s wheelchair tennis.
Nov 27, 2017 – After weeks of speculation, Clarence House announced the engagement, and the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh say they are “delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness.”
On May 6 Meghan made her first public appearance as a royal girlfriend when she proudly watched Prince Harry playing polo in Berkshire.
Then in September, the pair were pictured together in Toronto as they attended the Invictus Games with Meghan’s mum Doria.
Now the pair are engaged, Meghan will be given a royal title by Her Majesty but would not be addressed as Princess Meghan.
To have princess as a title before your first name is an honour reserved for women who are born into the Royal Family – such as Princess Charlotte.
Instead, the actress would be known as HRH Princess Henry of Wales.
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