Meghan Markle Has Been Given Royal Protection Officers Ahead Of Engagement Announcement

The Royal Family Make A Major Statement As They Offer Meghan Markle Guards For Protection

Here's what that means for Meghan and Prince Harry's relationship. - by Tina Burke

Meghan Markle is being guarded by royal protection officers, as speculation grows that Buckingham Palace is preparing to announce her engagement to Prince Harry this week.

The couple, who began dating in the Summer of 2016, have fueled engagement rumours over the past few months. Meghan quit her high-profile job playing Rachel on Suits and packed up her Toronto home to move to London to live in Kensington Palace with Harry.

Now that the actress is in London she has been offered tax-payer funded protection, which is reserved for the royal family. Meghan was spotted walking with bodyguards from the Metropolitan Police's Protection Command while shopping on the King's Road in Chelsea.

Royal protection officers were only granted to Kate Middleton one month before the official announcement was made about her secret engagement to Prince William in Kenya in 2010, which further adds to the mounting speculation that the pair have become engaged in secret.

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Other signs that the couple are set to make things official - aside from Meghan's decision to ditch her career and home - include the fact that she has been invited to official royal events, she has spent time with Kate and Prince William, met the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and has been introduced to the Queen who must give the marriage her blessing.

An official announcement is expected in the coming days, with Tuesday being suspected by news outlets currently stationed out the front of Buckingham Palace.

Only time will tell - but at this point it seems we're about to get another amazing princess!