Prince Harry and Meghan Markle finally pictured hand-in-hand

By Laura Italiano

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

After months of media speculation and thwart­ed paparazzi pursuit, the very first photos have surfaced of Prince Harry together in public with his American girlfriend, stunning TV star Meghan Markle.

The lovebirds were out on a date in London Thursday, striding along a West End street in coats and knit hats, en route to a performance of a transplanted Broadway hit, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.”

In one photo snapped on Piccadilly, they walk hand-in-hand down the famed avenue.

Harry, 32, has raised his left hand and appears to be smiling and pointing, perhaps at Christmas displays.

Markle, 35, star of the TV series “Suits,” keeps her chin ducked down.

Only a single “royal protection officer” trailed them, according to The Sun, which broke the world photo exclusive. They’ve been an item for five months.

“As an actress, Meghan loves the theater so this was an obvious date to go on,” one pal told The Sun.

Two months ago, when Meghan last visited London, they sneaked in and out of “The Lion King,” the tabloid said.

Prince Harry's girlfriend Meghan Markle has been introduced to Kate – and Princess Charlotte!

Prince Harry has introduced his girlfriend Meghan Markle to his sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge, according to a new report. The Suits actress, who has been dating Harry since last summer, even met Kate's daughter, Princess Charlotte.

The introductions were made last week when Toronto-based Meghan, 35, was visiting Harry, 32, in London.

"Kate was really looking forward to meeting Meghan and she knew how important it was to Harry," a source told The Sun on Sunday. "They are very close and he really values her opinion on girlfriends.

Meghan was "very excited" about meeting Prince Harry's sister-in-law Kate

The source added: "Obviously Harry's mother, Princess Diana, died when he was very young so Kate really fulfils that older sister/maternal role. It went really well and Meghan was very excited about meeting her."

Harry and Meghan reportedly visited Prince William and Kate's home, Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace, a stone's throw away from Harry's Nottingham Cottage. The actress gave the Duchess a thoughtful, belated birthday present and even got to meet Princess Charlotte. Prince George was at the family's country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk as he goes to nursery there.

"She got to play with Charlotte who she just adored," the source continued. "Meg had bought Kate a small birthday present – a very smart leather-bound 'dream diary' for her thoughts and ideas which Kate loved.

"This just shows how serious Harry is. He wants to take their relationship to the next level."