Royal engagement: Harry and Meghan release portraits months after announcing marriage plan

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have released their official engagement portraits, almost a month after announcing their plan to get married next year.

The two photographs were taken by celebrated fashion and celebrity photographer Alexi Lubomirski, who has snapped everyone from Julia Roberts to Angelina Jolie, the Daily  Mail reports.

The pictures were taken earlier this week at Frogmore House, a private royal residence in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

It is where Harry's cousin, Peter Phillips, son of the Queen's daughter, Princess Anne, held his wedding reception with Canadian Autumn Kelly in 2008, and has been tipped privately as a possible venue for Harry and Meghan's own bash.

 

Intriguingly it was at that party that Harry introduced his then girlfriend, Chelsy Davy, to his grandmother, the Queen, for the first time.

The couple announced their engagement on November 27 and a few days later a proud prince introduced his bride-to-be to the nation during a series of official events in Nottingham.

It has already been confirmed that Ms Markle will be part of the royal party at Sandringham for Christmas.  Harry and Meghan will marry at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19.

Royal aides said the couple's choice of photographer didn't come from a personal relationship – they simply liked his work. 

Mr Lubomirski said: 'It was an incredible honour to be asked to document this wonderful event, but also a great privilege to be invited to share and be a witness to this young couple's love for one another. 

“I cannot help but smile when I look at the photos that we took of them, such was their happiness together.”