Britain's Prince Harry said Monday he was "thrilled" to be marrying his American girlfriend Meghan Markle early next year, confirming months of speculation about the one-time playboy royal and the glamorous actress. The prince revealed he fell for Markle - who will inject a little Hollywood stardust into Britain's centuries-old royal family - "the very first time we met".
However, the 33-year-old admitted that his proposal was not entirely glamorous, taking place over a meal of roast chicken at his cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace.
In their first interview marking their engagement, the pair revealed they were set up on a "blind date" in London in July last year. They quickly grew close, but tried to keep their relationship private.
When the news broke, they were "totally unprepared" for the media attention, Harry said, adding: "It's not easy for anybody. "But at the end of the day she chooses me and I choose her and whatever we have to tackle together or individually, we'll always be together as a team."
Earlier, Markle said she was "so very happy" as she showed off her engagement ring, which included diamonds that belonged to the prince's late mother Diana.
Markle, who is mixed-race, divorced and an outspoken feminist, does not fit the mould of most British royals and she admitted some of the media coverage about her was "disheartening".
But the prince's grandmother Queen Elizabeth II - whose beloved corgis have taken a shine to Markle - led the chorus of congratulations, saying she was "delighted for the couple".
Harry has himself railed against the confines of royal life, recently admitting he came close to nervous breakdown in his 20s as he struggled to deal with the legacy of his mother's death.
His father Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, said he was "very happy indeed" that Harry had found love, while his brother Prince William said he and his wife Kate were "very excited".
The wedding is due to take place in the spring, and Harry designed the engagement ring himself, using two diamonds from Diana's personal collection. He said his mother would have been "over the moon" that he was marrying Markle, adding: "They would have been thick as thieves."
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