Royals fans and tourists elated by news of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's engagement

A town crier claimed he had a 'premonition' about the news
PA
Ella Wills27 November 2017

Royal fans and tourists have revealed their excitement after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their long-awaited engagement.

Fans outside London's royal residences said Ms Markle is princess material, while royalist town crier, Tony Appleton, claimed he had a "premonition" of the news.

Fifth in line to the throne Harry, 33, has for the past 16 months been dating the 36-year-old star who found fame when she starred in the US legal drama Suits.

After meeting through mutual friends in London, the almost inseparable pair confirmed their engagement on Monday.

Town Crier Tony Appleton said he had a 'premonition' of the engagement
Nick Ansell/PA Wire

In the wake of the news, royalist town crier, Tony Appleton - who was outside Buckingham Palace ready for the announcement, said he had arrived in the capital at 7am on Monday because he expected the news.

"I had a premonition last night," the 81-year-old from Great Baddow, Essex, told the Press Association.

Quizzed on what the engagement announcement means to him, he said: "Everybody wants Harry to get married, including me.

"I think this seals it, absolutely. I think if Diana was alive she would be so proud of him, so proud of him."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement announcement

1/27

Mr Appleton said he thinks the "very attractive" Ms Markle is a "very good choice" of wife for Harry, adding that he thinks she will be good for him.

"I think she will do the royal family proud and Harry as well when he takes her out and about with him."

He said he will be there for the latest royal wedding, ringing his bell to congratulate the couple.

Outside Kensington Palace, where the couple will live in Nottingham Cottage, the world's media had gathered following the announcement.

Tourists film Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement 
PA

American tourist, Laurie Mallen, who is visiting from Boston with her parents, said: "The transatlantic friendship's always been there, but I think this is just going to further that and really cement that.

"She's a great representative of America. She's a professional person, with all the charity work she's done, she has a huge personal interest in doing good, that's what she'll be able to bring, and will probably be able to expand upon by being part of the royal family."

Ms Mallen said she has been receiving text messages from her American friends asking if she had heard the news.

"I'm sure there will be some wedding-watching parties," she said.

"Will and Kate's wedding was huge, there were tonnes of people getting together at four in the morning to have tea parties."

Katie Humphries, 31, who was visiting London from Worcester for the day with her friends, said she thinks Ms Markle is princess material.

She added: "Like Kate, she's made it modern. The role is modern now isn't it? I think it's bringing it up to date with what's going on in the world."

She said she will be watching the wedding at a wedding party and that she hopes there will be a Bank Holiday for the big day.

Tourist Daniel Belet, 71, from France - who was at Kensington Palace as he visited the city with his wife, said they were both excited about the engagement, and admitted they enjoy the royal family.

Agreeing there is a "fascination" in France with the British royals, he joked: "We cut the head off Louis, but we are very fond of foreign royalties."

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in