Meghan Markle sparks Prince Harry engagement rumours as she closes down Canadian business ties

Speculation is rife that a royal engagement announcement might be on the cards as Prince Harry's girlfriend continues making changes to her public image. After shutting down her lifestyle blog, The Tig, American actress Meghan Markle is now said to be ending her association with popular Canadian fashion brand Reitmans.

According to Daily Mail, the Suits actress has turned down the role of brand ambassador of the women's apparel retailer in a bid to re-align her public life. The 35-year-old's sudden decision was news to the Canadian brand, who allegedly offered the TV star a large sum in December 2016 to renew her contract, sources reportedly told the publication.

Despite the lucrative offer, Markle refused to sign the contract to renew her term with the clothing brand, the report adds.

All this adds to speculation that the actress might be preparing for a royal life as rumours of an engagement with Prince Harry have begun making the rounds.

During her tenure with the fashion company, Markle is said to have designed a Spring collection as well as a vegan leather range that was released in November 2016 and was not on sale until recently.

As part of her role as ambassador, the actress even endorsed clothing items such as skin-fit leather trousers and faux-leather pencil skirts.

Monique Brosseau, Reitmans' vice-president of marketing, had even suggested another Markle project was in the works. But all of that came to a sudden halt when the actress allegedly quit all associations with the brand. In fact, all promotional images of the actress was removed from the company's website by early March.

Instead, online shoppers visiting her section of apparels were informed that "This collections is no longer available".

A source close to the actress claims, "The promotion in 2017 was done by Reitmans outside of the deal. Once they realised they did not have the right to use her in promotion and sale, they took it down."

However, royal enthusiasts connect this latest move to Markle's future with the 32-year-old prince. Most recently the ginger-haired royal was spotted arriving at the actress' home in Toronto ahead of the long Easter weekend.