Here's how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are spending their holiday

The couple are on holiday in Africa for Meghan's 36th birthday

Prince Harry Meghan Markle
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

The couple are on holiday in Africa for Meghan's 36th birthday

Our birthdays will never live up to how Meghan Markle has just spent hers – she was whisked away on a trip to Africa by her boyfriend, Prince Harry.

The Suits actress, who has just turned 36, is currently on holiday with the prince in Botswana.

The continent has special significance to Prince Harry: 'I first came in 1997, straight after my mum died. My dad told my brother and me we were going to Africa to get away from it all,' he said earlier this year.

'This is where I feel more like myself than anywhere else in the world. I have this intense sense of complete relaxation and normality here.'

The pair will reportedly stay on a house boat on the Okavango Delta for three nights, checking out the local wildlife on a water safari, during their three-week trip.

Of course, the question on many people's lips is whether these two will get engaged while they're away.

We're very much in favour of these two getting hitched, and it seems the royals approve of Meghan, too – this member of the royal family has just spoken out in support of Meghan Markle marrying Prince Harry.

meghan markle

Africa is where Prince William got engaged to Kate Middleton, so naturally rumours are already circulating that Harry has proposed to Meghan Markle on the trip.

A source close to Prince Harry has reportedly told the Daily Star: 'The world is watching, so the royal red tape needs to be adhered to.

'Meghan won’t be landing at Heathrow with a giant rock on her finger. Harry’s told his friends he’s hoping to make the official announcement in September.'

It's thought that Harry, who is a helicopter pilot, flew Meghan to a remote location and proposed under the stars with Zulu bracelets that symbolise marriage, according to the Daily Star.

The source continued: 'The setting and the bracelets were just so special to Harry. He has always felt close to Diana in Africa and it was she who taught him about the meaning of the tribal beads as she spent so much time there.

'Harry feels like he can be himself in Africa and the whole proposal was the private, free and expressive moment he had hoped for – made all the more so by keeping it as "their secret" for a few weeks.'

No official announcements have been made as yet regarding a potential engagement.

That said, we really hope the rumours are true!

Lucy Abbersteen
Beauty Contributor

Lucy is a freelance beauty editor and contributor at Marie Claire, and has written for titles including Glamour, Refinery29, Popsugar, woman&home and more. She was previously Marie Claire’s junior beauty editor. During her career, she’s covered everything from backstage beauty at fashion week to interviews with famous faces like Drag Race royalty and Little Mix. As for her beauty ethos, she’s a big advocate for not having to spend a fortune on beauty products to get good results, and when she’s not got beauty on the brain you’ll find her reading or hanging out with dogs.