Hollywood delight at first ‘proper princess’
Many may claim to be Hollywood royalty, but Los Angeles is about to get its first proper princess. ..
Many may claim to be Hollywood royalty, but Los Angeles is about to get its first proper princess.
The confirmation of Prince Harry's engagement to LA-born actress Meghan Markle finally, officially, unites the British establishment with the American entertainment world.
And there is no more thrilling moment for the millions of Americans who devour the story of the royals.
"Everyone is so excited and delighted," said Marlise Borland, host of LA's The Anglophile Channel. "Meghan Markle is a princess for the new generation.
"She represents everything that our world is striving for: breaking down of class barriers, breaking down of racial divisions and she's just going to be such a beautiful representation of that and I think a good thing for the Royal Family going forward."
Meghan Markle was born into the entertainment business, but the spotlight as a successful TV actress is nothing compared to what she will face as one of the most famous people on the planet.
Already at her mother Doria Ragland's modest suburban home, reporters have been handed a statement from Kensington Palace requesting Mrs Ragland and her neighbours not be subjected to "interference or harassment".
For the royal media machine – well versed in dealing with Fleet Street – keeping a feverish LA showbiz pack under control is a whole new challenge.
At the places that have played a part in her life story, like her first pre-school in Hollywood, the arrival of news cameras this morning was greeted with some baffled looks from security guards.
It is just the start of increased focus on who she is and where she came from.
Any future royal bride would generate interest, but this a woman who has built an acting career, a social media brand and a reputation for humanitarian and advocacy work: she has enormous celebrity power herself.
She has also been a powerful voice on a range of issues, not least racial equality as the daughter of an African-American mother and white father.
Her work as a UN advocate for women's participation in politics and for the charity WorldVision in Rwanda are perhaps more ideal preparations for a role in the Royal Family.
Her opinions on Donald Trump – calling him "misogynistic" on a US TV show – might make for awkward small talk if the President's state visit ever does happen.
There is no doubt she will bring a modern American face to Britain's oldest facade.
"She's young, she's hip, she's classy, she's smart and she's going to marry into the Royal Family," said Marlise Borland. "It is our ultimate fantasy."
Americans were already used to a diet of Downton Abbey and The Crown, and now they will get a piece of the royal action for themselves.
And millions of them can't wait.
"There's going to be parties all over Los Angeles," said Borland.
