Meghan, Harry and the snaps that say, I love you

The informality of the engagement portrait of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, one of three released yesterday by Kensington Palace, is a lifetime away from previous generations of Royal photographs.

Where once they might have been issued to the London Gazette, the Palace posted one on Instagram, with the message: “Thank you so much for all of the wonderful comments.”

The pictures were taken by the fashion and celebrity photographer Alexi Lubomirski, at Frogmore House, Windsor.

The set includes a candid shot of Harry and Meghan walking arm in arm, and a more formal one of them sitting together, holding hands.

She is wearing a sweater by Victoria Beckham while Harry is keeping out the cold in a Burberry coat – possibly stitched at the firm’s factory in Castleford. The former actress, who on Wednesday joined Harry at a Christmas lunch for the Royal family, is wearing her engagement ring.

Meanwhile, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh began their Christmas break like many other couples – returning home by train. They were pictured at King’s Lynn station in Norfolk, hopping off a late morning service from King’s Cross, and it is likely they travelled first class.

Sandringham, the Queen’s private estate in Norfolk, is a short journey from King’s Lynn and she will spend Christmas and new year there with Philip.