The exciting news of Prince Harry’s engagement to Meghan Markle was confirmed on Monday at 10.30 in the morning.
And more than nine hours later, EastEnders managed to film and make a timely reference to the exciting royal news on the next instalment of their popular BBC soap.
In the scene, Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) was seen asking Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi) why he was glued to his phone, to which he responded: ‘Just some prince bloke marrying some actress.’
Timely: More than nine hours after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement was announced, EastEnders managed to film make a timely reference on the next instalment of their popular soap
Kathy then grabbed the phone from him, gasping: ‘What! Harry and Meghan?’
The scene was filmed and inserted into the episode a few hours after Harry and Meghan confirmed they are set to wed in Spring 2018.
Before the episode commenced, EastEnders also took to Twitter with the enthusiastic message: ‘Pssst! See if you can spot our topical insert in tonight’s EastEnders!’
The message gave viewers a clue with emojis of an engagement ring, a bride and a church.
Celebrations: The exciting news of Prince Harry’s engagement to Meghan Markle was confirmed on Monday at 10.30 in the morning
‘Just some prince bloke marrying some actress’: In the scene, Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) was seen asking Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi) why he was glued to his phone
It was clear that the team behind EastEnders couldn’t contain their excitement over news that Harry will marry Suits star Meghan Markle next spring, after a year and a half of dating.
On Monday, Prince Harry revealed he was ‘thrilled’ to be marrying Meghan and admitted he knew the Suits star was ‘the one’ from ‘the first day we met’.
Meghan, 36, also showed the world her engagement ring designed by Harry himself containing two diamonds from Princess Diana’s own personal collection set in a gold band.
The couple will marry in church in spring 2018 after the prince proposed in early November after getting permission from the Queen and Meghan’s parents.
Kathy then grabbed the phone from him, gasping: ‘What! Harry and Meghan?
Hot on their heels! The scene was filmed hours after the royal news was announced
Teasing: Before the episode commenced, EastEnders also took to Twitter with an enthusiastic message
Congratulations: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they will marry next spring, after dating for a year and a half
Harry looked nervous but happy as they made their first public appearance since the announcement in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, much loved by his late mother Princess Diana.
His fiancee stroked his arm lovingly as they spoke to reporters, who asked him: ‘When did you know she was the one?’ and he replied: ‘From the very first time we met’.
He refused to say how he proposed saying: ‘That will come later’ but when asked if it was romantic he said: ‘Of course it was’ – but the couple didn’t kiss for the cameras.
Ecstatic: On Monday, Prince Harry revealed he was ‘thrilled’ to be marrying Meghan and admitted he knew the Suits star was ‘the one’ from ‘the first day we met’
Sweet: The prince said he was ‘thrilled, over the moon’ adding: ‘Very glad it’s not raining as well’ and both were full of smiles as they posed at Kensington Palace
Dazzling: Meghan’s engagement ring’s two outer diamonds are from Diana’s own collection with a central diamond from Botswana – where they went on safari in September – all set within a gold band
The prince said he was ‘thrilled, over the moon’ adding: ‘Very glad it’s not raining as well.’ Meghan said she was ‘so happy, thank you’ before they wandered back into Kensington Palace beaming.
Harry, 33, who revealed a year ago he had fallen for the actress after a four to six month secret relationship, proposed to Meghan, 36, in London earlier this month.
Royal protocol dictated that fifth in line to the throne Harry had to ask his grandmother the Queen for permission to marry and she agreed in the month where she celebrated her own 70th wedding anniversary.
Cute couple: Harry, 33, who revealed a year ago he had fallen for the actress after a four to six month secret relationship, proposed to Meghan, 36, in London earlier this month