Royal Family announces engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11 / CNS) - The British Royal Family on Monday announced the engagement of Prince Harry, who's fifth in line to the throne, to Los Angeles-born actress Meghan Markle, best known for her role on the legal drama "Suits.''

Harry, 33, and Markle, 36, are expected to be married next spring.

Markle, whose mother is black and father is white, graduated from Northwestern University in Illinois in 2003 and married in 2011, divorcing two years later.

She has appeared on ``Suits'' and the science-fiction series ``Fringe.'' She is also known for her charitable work -- she is a global ambassador for World Vision Canada -- and has worked for gender equality and women's empowerment.

Her parents, Doria Ragland, a yoga instructor and social worker; and Thomas Markle, a cinematographer, said they were ``incredibly happy'' for the couple, The New York Times reported.

``Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person,'' they said in a statement. ``To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for us as parents. We wish them a lifetime of happiness and are very excited for their future together.''

Watch the video in the player at the top of the page to hear author Andrew Morton's take on the engagement.