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After a telling interview with Vanity Fair in which she hinted at a very public near future with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle looks closer than ever to Royal status.

According to Us Weekly, the Suits actress recently met Queen Elizabeth, a naturally necessary step before the couple take their relationship public.

After their recent vacation in Africa, it’s understood Harry and Meghan travelled to his father Prince Charles’ Scotland estate, and then onto the Queen’s nearby residence Balmoral Castle, with the face-to-face taking place on September 3.

“Harry decided to take Meghan to visit as he hadn’t been up yet all summer,” an insider revealed.

“It went well,” the source added. “It’ll no doubt be the first of many encounters.”

According to the report, a few select Royal family aides have been tasked with preparations for a public engagement announcement – Harry is believed to have already asked the question, possibly during the three-week vacation in Africa.

Image: Getty

“These things are planned well in advance; it’s not easy to roll out that kind of news,” the source explained.

“Everyone knows how happy Harry is and is excited for the day it’s announced.”

Meghan has already met Prince William and Kate Middleton, first being introduced to Wills in November, and Kate shortly after in January.

A big sign that the engagement announcement is imminent was Meghan’s carefully-worded comments in a recent interview with Vanity Fair.

“We’re a couple. We’re in love,” the 36-year-old Canadian confirmed.

Hinting that she and Harry will live a more public life together in the future – AKA wedding bells – she continued:

“I’m sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people will understand is that this is our time. This is for us.”

It’s been an exciting time for the Royal family recently: it was announced that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a third child, and their eldest, Prince George, just started school last week. As you might’ve guessed, it was adorable.