Harry & Meghan engaged

Prince Harry has said he knew his bride-to-be Meghan Markle was "the one" from the moment they met, as the couple made their first public appearance since the announcement of their engagement.

The Prince, 33, declared that he is "thrilled" as he and the 36-year-old American actress posed for an open-air photocall in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace.

Their long-anticipated engagement was announced by the Prince of Wales on Monday morning with a statement saying the couple, who have been dating for 16 months, will marry in the spring next year.

A beaming Ms Markle, in a white belted coat, clutched Harry's hand with both of her hands as they posed briefly and showed off her diamond engagement ring - designed by the prince himself.

Harry revealed that he knew Ms Markle was "the one" from the first moment they met. "When did I know she was the one? Very first time we met," the prince said.

The couple will this afternoon be interviewed by the BBC's Mishal Husain for a programme that will be screened at 6pm.

Speaking in the Sunken Garden, Ms Markle said she was "so very happy, thank you" to be engaged to Harry.

The prince said he was "thrilled, over the moon" adding: "Very glad it's not raining as well."

The couple were smiling and giggling throughout their appearance.

When Harry was asked how he proposed, Ms Markle replied "Save that", with Harry adding: "That will come later".

Kensington Palace said the prince designed Ms Markle's engagement ring himself - using two stones which belong to his late mother.

The two outside stones are diamonds from the personal collection of Diana, Princess of Wales.

At the centre is a diamond from Botswana, a country that holds special significance for Harry who has visited many times since he was a child.

It is also a place the couple has spent time together over the last year and a half, Kensington Palace said.

The band is made of gold and the ring was made by Cleave and Company, Court Jewellers and Medallists to Her Majesty The Queen.

The couple braved the cold and answered a number of questions from the waiting press, before waving at the cameras and walking back through the garden arm in arm.

The sunken garden is poignantly the site of the memorial garden created in memory of Harry's late mother Diana, Princess of Wales to mark the 20th anniversary of her death this year.

It was one of the princess's favourite parts of the palace grounds.

Harry and Ms Markle were separated from the media by several metres of water, standing on the other side of the large ornamental pond.

Ms Markle's white coat was by Canadian brand Line the Label, and her dress by P.A.R.O.S.H.

It appeared as if the Meghan Effect was already under way with Line the Label's website crashing because of the numbers of people trying to access its site.

Ms Markle's shoes appeared to be strappy Aquazzura Matilde Crisscross Nude Suede Pumps.

Earlier, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh said they were "delighted" for their grandson and his bride-to-be, and "wish them every happiness".

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said: "We are very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together."

Ms Markle's parents wished their daughter and Harry "a lifetime of happiness", adding: "We are incredibly happy for Meghan and Harry.

"Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person. To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for us as parents."

Visiting Poundbury in Dorset on Monday, the Prince of Wales said he was "thrilled" and "very happy indeed" for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Fifth in line to the throne Harry has been dating Ms Markle - who found fame in the US legal drama Suits - since the summer of 2016.

Their 16-month whirlwind romance blossomed when they met through mutual friends in London, and the pair have been almost inseparable in recent months.

The much-anticipated news was confirmed by the Prince of Wales in a brief statement issued by Clarence House.

-Daily Mail.