Harry may make first official appearance with Meghan Markle during Toronto trip

Updated

Prince Harry is to carry out a host of engagements in Toronto later this month - when he is expected to make his first public appearance with girlfriend Meghan Markle at an official event.

Harry is heading to the Canadian city - home to Suits star Markle - for the 2017 Invictus Games, where he will give speeches at both the opening and closing ceremonies.

He will visit training sessions and watch participants competing in all 12 sports, including athletics, cycling and wheelchair basketball.

The Prince, who is widely expected to wed the American actress, will also visit a mental health and addiction teaching hospital, hand out Duke of Edinburgh International Gold Awards to young Canadians, attend a conference on military and veteran health research, and host a reception for the Invictus Games Foundation during his stay.

Kensington Palace released details of Harry's itinerary, but made no mention of Markle and declined to comment on which event she would be attending.

The star, who has been dating the Queen's grandson for just over a year, revealed her love for the Prince in an interview with Vanity Fair magazine, prompting speculation that the announcement of a royal engagement was merely a formality.

The actress declared: "We're two people who are really happy and in love", adding: "I hope what people will understand is that this is our time. This is for us.

"It's part of what makes it so special, that it's just ours... Personally, I love a great love story."

Harry, who celebrates his 33rd birthday on Friday, will be in Toronto from September 22 to September 30.

The Prince founded the Invictus Games, a paralympic-style competition for wounded, injured and sick former and still-serving servicemen and women, and staged the inaugural event in London in 2014.

The second tournament was held in Orlando in 2016, and the third in Toronto will see 550 competitors from 17 nations take part in 12 adaptive sports.

Harry will visit the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health on September 23, present The Duke of Edinburgh's International Gold Awards on September 24, attend the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research conference on September 25 and on September 26 join representatives from all nations participating in the Invictus Games at a reception.

The high-profile closing ceremony on September 30 is to feature performances by Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams and Kelly Clarkson.

Advertisement