Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement date confirmed? Royal announcement coming next week

With speculation running high about an imminent royal wedding, it has been reported that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are all set to announce their engagement. And if all goes well, the big news will drop as early as Tuesday, 28 November, in the coming week.

According to reports, the smitten couple had been busy finalising plans with royal courtiers over the course of last week and the BBC is said to have been "primed for the royal announcement". Adding fuel to this speculation, the Daily Mail claims that bookmakers have even suspended bets on when the nuptials might take place in light of the latest reports.

"Royal watchers would love a Christmas engagement announcement, and as far as we're concerned, it's coming imminently," a Mail Online source said.

With preparations in full swing, in sure-shot signs of an upcoming wedding, the Suits actress is already believed to have moved into Nottingham Cottage, Harry's residence in the Kensington Palace.

But at the same time, the duo is also looking out for a countryside retreat, possibly in Cotswolds, the Daily Star reported.

"They are trying to sort a few things out first," the website's source claimed. "They are house-hunting for a retreat and other things, but it will be up to them to decide." The delay in the engagement announcement is thought to be because of these pending tasks.

Earlier in this week, the 36-year-old actress was spotted in London's West End, hitting some famous shops in the area, which triggered a fresh wave of speculation surrounding the engagement.

Rocking her famous casual yet chic style, Markle had kept her appearance simple – donning tortoise-shell shades with a grey and black look. In photographs obtained by Mail Online, the actress was even pictured carrying a big shopping bag from Sarah Chapman while holding on to her £2,000 Prada handbag.

Indeed, the signs are strong of an imminent royal ceremony. But if some royal watchers are to be believed, Harry and Markle have already sealed the deal in private. The royal couple reportedly got secretly engaged recently, and it's just a matter of time before wedding bells finally ring for the duo.