The rumoured new romance between Prince Harry, 32, and U.S. actress Meghan Markle, 35, continues to generate endless tabloid fodder. After the Sunday Express reported on Sunday that the prince has been secretly dating the actress since they met in Toronto in May, a firestorm of speculation has dominated international headlines. Toronto, in particular, has been at the centre of all of the attention because Markle lives in the city and films the popular television drama “Suits” there.
As the rumour mill relentlessly churns, here’s a round-up of the latest gossip fueling the fire and keeping tongues wagging.
Halloween in Toronto
On Tuesday, the Evening Standard reported that Prince Harry had cancelled a Sunday British Airways flight from Heathrow to Toronto to visit Markle because of the intense media scrutiny surrounding their supposed romance. The British newspaper said a source claimed Harry was a “no-show” for the flight that was booked last week.
Now, the U.S. entertainment magazine US Weekly states that the cancelled flight was just a decoy to divert the media’s attention and that the prince was actually in Toronto this weekend. The magazine cited a friend of Harry’s for the exclusive information about his “top secret” visit. The source said Prince Harry took a commercial flight to Pearson International Airport on Friday and kept a “low profile.”
“He was buzzing with excitement when he arrived,” the source told US Weekly. “A car was waiting at the airport so he could be driven to Meghan’s house.”
According to the insider, the prince stayed at Markle’s home near Dupont Street. Although US Weekly’s source said the alleged couple “holed up” at her place and didn’t go out on the town on Halloween night, The Toronto Star has reported otherwise. The newspaper wrote that Prince Harry and Markle were spotted revelling at a Toronto Halloween party on Saturday night, according to a “spy.” The prince has been seen with a pack of black SUVs in tow in the neighbourhood for the last few weeks, the newspaper’s sources claim.
Family introductions
On Tuesday, People magazine reported that Prince Harry and Markle have been “dating seriously” for a couple of months and that an engagement is “certainly a possibility.” The U.S. magazine cited a “friend” for the wedding speculation.
“It is certainly one possible outcome. It’s pretty serious, so we will see,” the source said.
According to the magazine, the romance has become so serious that Harry has already introduced his new girlfriend to his father, Prince Charles.
“Harry is pretty serious about her and she is pretty serious about him,” a friend told the magazine.
Prince Charles isn’t the only royal family member Markle has met, according to the Sunday Express. The British newspaper quoted a source saying the actress also met the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
“William and Kate really liked her and she fitted in straight away,” the insider said.
US Weekly added that a source said the actress went on a double date with Harry’s cousin Princess Eugenie and her boyfriend Jack Brooksbank. Markle has also met the prince’s closest friends according to the magazine.
“She’s met his closest circle of friends, and they all love her,” a source said.
First interview
On Tuesday, the Vancouver Sun published the first interview with Markle since her supposed romance with Prince Harry romance was revealed on the weekend. The actress did not address Prince Harry or the rumours, but she did provide a glimpse into her mindset these days.
“My cup runneth over and I’m the luckiest girl in the world!” Markle stated.
The majority of the interview was spent discussing fashion and Markle’s new collection for Canadian retailer Reitmans, but a number of publications have speculated what her “luckiest girl” quote might indicate.
Instagram hints
Markle might be fanning the flames of suggestion herself with her Instagram account. The actress posted a photo of a tea cup and an elephant-shaped teapot surrounded by puzzle pieces on Tuesday. The stereotypical British pastime of having tea and the elephant (Prince Harry famously loves elephants) set off a whirlwind of speculation that Markle was hinting at her relationship with the prince.
Earlier on Tuesday, the coy actress also posted a cryptic photo of a pair of smiling, spooning bananas with the caption “Sleep tight xx.” The post’s commenters speculated what the romantic bananas could mean and many asked whether they were meant to represent Markle and Prince Harry.
‘Unofficial’ response
Markle’s representatives, Kruger Cowne, issued a puzzling response to The Sun’s inquiries about the romance. A spokesperson said the relationship was still “unofficial” and then added, “However, should this be confirmed by the Palace, all of us at Kruger Cowne are delighted for them and wish them well.”
Instead of refusing to comment or outright denying the claims, Markle’s representatives strangely chose to congratulate the couple if the Royal Family confirmed the rumours.
