ULSTER Unionist Councillor Diana Armstrong has congratulated Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after it was announced the couple are to get married next year.

Councillor Armstrong, who met Prince Harry at a reception in Belfast recently, said the engagement is “great news for society in general.”

“In my role as Chairperson of the local NSPCC Charity Committee I had the honour of being recently presented to Prince Harry. He took a great interest in our work and how it was part of the local community.

“The combined interests in humanitarian and charitable causes world wide will be for the betterment of all those in need. I wish them well for the future,” she said.

Impartial Reporter:

Diana Armstrong (right) meeting Prince Harry in Belfast.

Prince Harry has revealed he knew his bride to be was "the one" from their very first meeting.

The Queen's grandson declared himself to be "thrilled" and "over the moon" to be engaged to the American actress after a whirlwind romance lasting just 16 months.

The happy couple made their first appearance in public since the announcement of their impending nuptials, posing for photographs in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace.

Ms Markle showed off her sparkling engagement ring, which romantic Harry designed himself, made from two diamonds which belonged to his late beloved mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

The ring also features a large central diamond from Botswana, a country that holds special significance for the couple who have holidayed there together.

Harry has long loved the African country after visiting it many times as a child.

The couple will marry in church wedding in the spring next year.

Their long anticipated engagement was announced by the Prince of Wales on Monday morning.

Harry, dressed smartly in a blue suit and dark tie for the open air photocall, revealed of Ms Markle: "When did I know she was the one? Very first time we met."

Ms Markle said she was "so very happy, thank you" to be engaged to Harry.

Meanwhile, Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster has apolgised after a tweet issued on her Twitter account congratulated Prince William, and not Prince Harry. 

"Apologies to TRHs Princes William & Harry for tweet error on my account earlier. I stopped tweeting personally a long time ago.

"Genuine typo by a member of staff. Guilty of tweeting too fast. There goes any chance of an invite!" she joked.