Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Screengrab © BBC NewsMedia speculation has been running wild for weeks, yet the engagement announcement of Prince Harry and American actress, Meghan Markle, still managed to cause something of a surprise.
Today’s confirmation by Clarence House of the impending marriage between the couple ended a frenzied period of guessing games, then opened up a whole set of new ones about their wedding plans next spring.
With the news breaking from the Royal Family, we went out into the streets of Liverpool to gauge reaction to their decision to get hitched.
Most people gave a positive response, including 76-year-old Robert Hill of South Liverpool, who told JMU Journalism: “Yes I think it is good news. Good luck to the lad – he’s only young, let him get on with it.”
Tracy Foster was among those who welcomed the outcome, especially as there appeared to be obstacles in their path to the altar. The 46-year-old Wirral resident said: “I think it’s good news because when he first got with her people were saying ‘oh no, they’ll never be able to get married because she’s a divorcee’, but what difference does that make?”
YouTube: JMU Journalism TV
The revelation that Britain’s most eligible bachelor is no longer on the market was also a source of regret. German visitor, Leah Peters, 23, said: “I think it’s great for them, but I’ve got some friends who are jealous.”
Others were distinctly underwhelmed upon being told about the happy couple’s special day, including Liverpudlian Adam Gilduff, 25, who said: “I’m indifferent to the whole situation. I don’t really believe in marriage, but if he’s happy then good for him.”
Scroll through the edited reactions below to read more of the responses from our street survey.
Reporting by: Jade Culver; Ed Baldwin; James Farrington; Amy Harding; Stephanie Kettle; Suzy Sankey; Tom Swift; Daisy Scott; Matty Davies; Jo Cunliffe; Jordan Reais & Jasper Hunt.