Reports Harry and Meghan WERE Scheduled to Announce Their Engagement Last Week

We were all left in a state of...shall we say puzzlement...when an "announcement" of some sort failed to emerge from the Palace yesterday. Unusually, staff from all households were summoned for not one but two meetings and several reliable sources believed something was about to happen. The day came and went, followed by headlines claiming it was all hot air fueled by over eager fans on social media. Looking back to reports which initiated a substantial interest away from social media last week, the Standard's source certainly wasn't an "eager fan", and neither is Lainey Gossip, who has been a step ahead thanks to impeccable sources since the early days of Harry and Meghan's courtship. It's important to note, there remains no statement from the Palace apart from the curt response stating they "would not give a running commentary on Harry's love life". Two journalists with high standing and a reputation for accuracy are reporting the announcement was in fact scheduled for last week but failed to materialize.

Camilla Tominey, who broke the news last year Harry and Meghan were a couple, writes in The Sunday Express:

'Meghan Markle is being guarded by royal protection officers as the Palace prepares to announce her engagement to Prince Harry as early as this week. The news was supposed to be made public on Thursday, with the Prime Minister poised to release a congratulatory statement, but Kensington Palace was "spooked" into postponing it by intense speculation, say sources. As the rumour mill went into overdrive this weekend, the Sunday Express can reveal how Downing Street was gearing up for an 11am announcement on Thursday - Thanksgiving Day in America - prompting all major broadcasters to clear their schedules.'

Interesting segments from Camilla's article include:

'A female close protection officer is understood to be shadowing Kate’s bodyguard, Sergeant Emma Probert, in preparation for becoming Meghan’s personal protection officer. Speculation is rife in Westminster circles that an engagement could be announced as early as tomorrow. A Government source said: “Everyone was expecting the announcement to go out at 11am on Thursday.'

Plans for Meghan to move to Kensington Palace have been in the works for months:

'The Sunday Express can now reveal that Meghan listed Harry’s address on her pet passport form as long as six months ago. Insiders claim she declared Kensington Palace as her place of residence in early summer when she signed the “Notice 3” form, which is the Customs paperwork for her two dogs, six-year-old beagle Guy and five-year-old German shepherd Bogart. Los Angeles-born Meghan flew to London on Tuesday from Canada, where she has been based since 2011 after landing the role of paralegal Rachel Zane in Suits.'

Very surprisingly, a wedding before the Duchess of Cambridge gives birth to her third child is on the cards apparently:

'The royal household is also understood to be preparing for the couple to tie the knot before Kate gives birth to the Cambridges’ third child in April. It is thought Prince George and Princess Charlotte will play a starring role on the big day.'

A Government source said:

“Everyone was expecting the announcement to go out at 11am on Thursday. We think the Palace got spooked by phone calls from various media outlets. The statement was being prepared on behalf of the Prime Minister. It’s now being considered a case of any day now.”

Meanwhile, The Sunday Times runs with: "Speculation was rife last night that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will announce their engagement this week, as it emerged Theresa May's diary was cleared last week for news that never came."

From the Times story:

'Downing Street is confident the announcement will come soon, perhaps even tomorrow, while sources at the palace are equally positive that it was never going to be made last week and nor will it be any time soon. Theresa May had been told that the announcement was timed for Thursday to coincide with the American Thanksgiving celebrations. However, there were claims the news had been accidentally leaked to broadcasters, who spooked Kensington Palace when they turned up to film that morning.

The BBC had prepared for a royal announcement and Buckingham Palace was deluged with media calls seeking confirmation of a royal wedding. A source told The Sunday Times that No 10 had been “primed” for the announcement on the day after the chancellor’s budget. Yet royal sources “strongly deny” any suggestion that an announcement was planned for last week.'

Meanwhile, the Mail Online reports:

'Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to bring months of fevered speculation to an end by announcing their engagement this week, Royal sources have indicated. The couple's plans appear to have been finalised at a series of last-minute meetings between senior courtiers at Kensington Palace. An official announcement is expected in the next few days, with Tuesday thought to be the most likely date. This is the same day of the week that Harry's brother, the Duke of Cambridge, and his father, the Prince of Wales, chose to share their engagement news with the nation.'

I believe both Tominey and the Times had strong reliable confirmation to run this on the front of the Sunday papers. The big question is, why were Kensington Palace "spooked" to the point they postponed the announcement? Was it the leaks? Did the level of media attention cause Harry and Meghan to alter their plans? If it was postponed, when are they planning to announce? Are reports it's happening next week true? Certainly, it would seem reasonable to presume, if they had intended last week, and something beyond their control or the leaks caused a brief postponement - an announcement in the next few days would seem more than plausible. Personally, as I said in my last post, all signs are pointing this is imminent. By all accounts, we could have very good news any day now. :)

In the meantime readers, if searching for a distraction the Mail on Sunday has an A to Z list of Meghan's new life in London.