Royals

Prince Harry’s first appearance since confirming his relationship

But will the cheeky royal’s new girlfriend Meghan Markle be joining him?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

He’s been shying away from the flashing lights following the buzz of his new relationship status, but on Thursday, November 11, the smitten Prince will step out for the first time since declaring his love for actress Meghan Markle.

The 32-year-old will attend a veteran’s event at Westminster Abbey later this week before stepping out once more for an HIV/AIDS engagement next week.

Later this month, Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s favourite uncle will also jet off to the Caribbean for a solo tour, where he will surely miss his new brunette beauty.

While many wait with baited breath to see their favourite ginger make his public debut with the Suits actress, those avid royal watchers will be disappointed to hear the palace has confirmed that she will not be joining her new beau for any of his royal engagements this month, says ET.

Earlier this month, the Suits star spoke out saying she was “the luckiest girl in the world!” We can’t help but agree…

In fact, it is now word that, following her overnight rise to honorary royalty, Meghan has decided to take time off filming her beloved law drama, in which she has a starring role.

According to Page Six, the 35-year-old told her producers that she needed to forgo filming as she had “something important to do”.

While she is staying mum on the exact reasoning, insiders speculate that the onscreen lawyer is busy meeting with real life attorneys to help manage her rise to fame.

WATCH: Everything we know about Harry and Meghan’s whirlwind romance in the video player below. Post continues…

Loading the player...

Earlier this week, the fifth-in-line to the throne issued a rare and candid public declaration, announcing to the world that he is officially off the market.

The full statement reads:

“Since he was young, Prince Harry has been very aware of the warmth that has been extended to him by members of the public. He feels lucky to have so many people supporting him and knows what a fortunate and privileged life he leads.

“He has never been comfortable with this, but he has tried to develop a thick skin about the level of media interest that comes with it. He has rarely taken formal action on the very regular publication of fictional stories that are written about him and he has worked hard to develop a professional relationship with the media, focused on his work and the issues he cares about.

“But the past week has seen a line crossed. His girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment. Some of this has been very public – the smear on the front page of a national newspaper; the racial undertones of comment pieces; and the outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments.

The pair first sparked speculation after they were pictured wearing matching bracelets…

Check out Meghan’s telling snap!

“Some of it has been hidden from the public – the nightly legal battles to keep defamatory stories out of papers; her mother having to struggle past photographers in order to get to her front door; the attempts of reporters and photographers to gain illegal entry to her home and the calls to police that followed; the substantial bribes offered by papers to her ex-boyfriend; the bombardment of nearly every friend, co-worker, and loved one in her life.

“Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle’s safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her. It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm. He knows commentators will say this is ‘the price she has to pay’ and that ‘this is all part of the game’. He strongly disagrees. This is not a game – it is her life and his.

“He has asked for this statement to be issued in the hopes that those in the press who have been driving this story can pause and reflect before any further damage is done. He knows that it is unusual to issue a statement like this, but hopes that fair-minded people will understand why he has felt it necessary to speak publicly.”

Prince Harry may be off the market, but there are still plenty of single royals left! For the future Princess Marys out there, click through the gallery below!

Related stories