Expert reveals when Prince Harry is likely to announce his engagement to Meghan Markle

A royal expert has revealed that Prince Harry is likely to reveal his engagement to American actress Meghan Markle in December.

Harry and Meghan have been dating for almost a year, with speculation about a prospective engagement developing after it was revealed the two were going away on a romantic holiday to Africa.

There's no official word if Harry popped the question during the trip, but now a royal expert has weighed in on when he thinks the prince will reveal his engagement news - if he has any to share.

Speaking to HELLO! Online, Darren McGrady, who was Princess Diana's head chef, said December is likely to be the month picked by Harry to announce his engagement to girlfriend Meghan, so that his news don't overshadow his mother's death anniversary or the Queen's wedding anniversary.

Harry and Meghan haven't been officially photographed together

'I really do think they would have been engaged by now. But with Princess Diana's 20th anniversary this month in August, they can't trump that,' Darren told the publication.

'And then November is the Queen and Prince Philip's platinum wedding anniversary so they can't trump that either, whereas December they can announce the engagement and they'd be free to marry next year.

'I think that's what's going to happen. Meghan can join the royals at Sandringham at Christmas because she'll be engaged and part of the fold.'

William's younger brother whisked Meghan away for a romantic trip to Africa earlier this month to celebrate her 36th birthday, and the two were seen leaving the plane looking very loved up.

Africa holds a a special place in Harry's heart as it was his refuge following the tragic death of his mother.

'My dad told my brother and me to pack our bags - we were going to Africa to get away from it all,' he told Town & Country earlier this year about the first time he visited the continent in 1997.

He's since been back several times, including a royal tour in late 2015 when he opened a centre in Lesotho that will help children struggling to overcome their HIV/Aids diagnosis.

Harry during his visit to Lesotho in 2004

During his visit at the time, Harry made an emotional speech about how he related to the feelings of loss of the children he visited in Lesotho years before, following his mother's death.

'They were far younger than me, and of course, their situation was a great deal more challenging than my own. Nonetheless, we shared a similar feeling of loss, having a loved one, in my case a parent, snatched away so suddenly,' he said.

'I, like them, knew there would always be a gaping hole that could never be filled.'

Do you think Prince Harry has already proposed to Meghan? Let us know in the comments!