Prince Harry and Meghan Markle news: Latest updates as Africa getaway comes to a close

• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are in Africa and engagement rumours have been circulating. 
• Bookies’ odds have been slashed since the couple’s arrival in Africa. 
• Harry expressed how important Africa was to him earlier this year.
• The pair are reportedly staying on a houseboat in Botswana. 
• The couple’s relationship was confirmed in November last year. 

Monday 14 August: 08:00am

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s romantic three week long getaway in Africa is coming to a close.

They’re believed to have stayed in houseboat costing £1,000 a night for three nights. 

While being on the houseboat, they reportedly cruised the Okavango Delta in the hope of seeing hippos and crocodiles. 

Describing the houseboat safari to the Mirror, a source said: “There are 6,000 square miles of water to explore. Sometimes you can go for days without seeing another boat or another tourist.” 

While there’s no news yet of Prince Harry, 32, proposing to Meghan Markle, 36, on the vacation many believe an engagement is fast approaching. 

The couple began dating last year and their relationship has been hotting up ever since. 

Meghan celebrated her birthday on August 4, and the couple flew to Africa to spend some quality time together. 

Describing what Africa meant to him earlier this year, Harry said: “I first came in 1997, straight after my mum died. My dad told my brother and me we were going to Africa to get away from it all. 

“This is where I feel more like myself than anywhere else in the world. I have this intense sense of complete relocation and normality here.” 

Bookies’ odds were slashed over when Meghan and Harry will get engaged after their arrival to Africa – so where did the couple’s love story begin? 

In November last year, Kensington Palace confirmed Meghan was Harry’s girlfriend, with a statement saying Harry was worried for her safety. 

They were both then spotted together for the first time while out on a date in London. 

On May 6 Meghan made her first public appearance as royal girlfriend when she watched Harry play polo in Berkshire. 

Since then, the couple have been flying back and forth between London and Toronto, Canada – the Suits star’s home – to spend time with one another. 

The pair are reportedly staying on a houseboat in Botswana on their safari vacation. 

There have also been rumours about what gifts Prince Harry may have given to the actress for her birthday. 

Some reports claimed Meghan would receive a £31,000 car from the prince. 

But others believed an engagement ring is a more likely present. 

Prince Harry reportedly gave up his mother Princess Diana’sengagement ring so Prince William could propose to Kate Middleton in 2010. 

A source close to the royals told the Daily Star: “After Diana died, the boys both chose a keepsake from Kensington Palace when they moved to Charles’ room in St James’s Palace. 

“William picked his mum’s Cartier watch, and Harry picked her sapphire and diamond engagement ring. 

“But they had an agreement that whoever got engaged first would have Diana’s ring – and of course that was William and Kate.” 

It’s believed the Prince has enlisted royal jeweller Harry Collins to create an emerald engagement ring using the jewels from a diamond bracelet that belonged to his mother. 

And the £100,000 engagement ring will be cushion set.