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Prince Harry managed to pull off the impossible: Squiring his American girlfriend, Meghan Markle, into a high-profile almost royal wedding reception with no photographs emerging of the couple.
Well, almost no photographs. The Sun newspaper managed to sneak off one photo of the prince and his actress girlfriend as they drove to the reception after the wedding of Pippa Middleton and her new husband, James Matthews, a billionaire who is a former race car driver.
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You can see that photo here. The Sun reports that Meghan arrived in time to see a spitfire plane fly by the Middleton compound, which hosted the reception of Kate Middleton’s sister.
The glare on the windshield almost obscured the couple inside, though, treating the curious to barely a glimpse of Markle, even though her appearance – and dress – were much anticipated, almost at a risk of overshadowing the bride.
People Magazine reported that Meghan attended part of the private reception, but not the earlier wedding ceremony; Chivalrously, Harry dashed away for a 100-mile drive to pick her up after the wedding, People reported.
At the wedding, Harry was photographed walking with his brother, Prince William.
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry arrive for the wedding ceremony of Pippa Middleton to James Matthews at St Mark’s Church as the bridesmaids and pageboys walk ahead on May 20, 2017 in Englefield Green, England. (Getty)
It’s not entirely clear why Harry and Meghan opted for such subterfuge, spawning rumors on the Internet. He was embarrassed of her, some naysayers wrote on newspaper comment threads. That’s dubious; more likely Harry and Markle didn’t want to draw attention away from Pippa, who, ironically, was accused of drawing attention away from her own sister’s big moment.
Pippa Middleton wedding guests treated to Spitfire flypast as Meghan Markle arrives t.co/O53smaiVg6
The Sun reports, via a source, that Harry “knew this was all about Pippa’s big day and he and Meghan jointly decided they didn’t want to upstage her” so he “left as discreetly as possible and traveled with her all the way back up, showing just how serious he is about her.” According to the Sun, Harry wanted to make sure Meghan didn’t arrive at the reception alone.
Meghan was photographed before the wedding leaving a London spa.
Meghan Markle preens herself at a spa in London –> t.co/lLZNHVNQlp
Pippa Middleton was also reported to have a “no ring, no bring” policy for the wedding ceremony.
Rumors that Harry is about to propose have circulated for months. Fueling rumors all the more, a spokesman for Westminster Abbey told the news media that Harry, 32, and Meghan, 35, would be able to marry in the historic church even though Markle is divorced.
Meghan Markle attends the 12th annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards. (Getty)
Their relationship was first confirmed in November 2016, and since that time public sightings of the couple have been rare, although they were spotted kissing at a recent polo match and Meghan attended a wedding in Jamaica at Harry’s side.
They were photographed in November 2016 holding hands after they left a restaurant.
Prince Harry has a busy summer planned. He will be in Sydney in early June for the Invictus Games.
Princes William and Harry at Pippa Middleton’s wedding. (Getty)
“Founded by the prince, the Invictus Games uses the healing power of sport to positively change the lives of wounded, injured and ill active and veteran servicemen and women,” the Australian reports, adding that Harry will then head to Singapore. It’s not clear whether Meghan Markle will accompany him. Harry’s itinerary has sparked rumors that, if a proposal is imminent, it won’t occur until at least late summer.
Learn more about Meghan’s parents here:
