EXCLUSIVE: 'Wonderful news': Meghan's extended American family tell of joy at her engagement and say she will cope brilliantly with the spotlight
- Roslyn Markle, 72, the first wife of Meghan's father, commented on the Suits star's royal engagement to Prince Harry
- 'I'm really happy for them and I hope they'll be happy together and have a great life,' she told DailyMail.com from home in Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Roslyn was married to Thomas Markle between 1968 and 1976 and is the mother of his two eldest children Samantha Grant, 53, and Thomas Markle Jr, 51
- Asked how she thinks Meghan will cope with the transition from actress to princess, she explained the 36-year-old beauty will 'be just fine'
- Her comments come in the wake of an official statement from Meghan's parents released this morning by Kensington Palace
- The couple made their first public appearance since breaking the news on Monday
The extended family of Meghan Markle have begun congratulating the 36-year-old, after waking up to the news of her engagement to Prince Harry.
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com from her home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Roslyn Markle, the mother of Meghan's half-siblings, said: 'That's absolutely wonderful news.
'I'm really happy for them and I hope they'll be happy together and have a great life.' Of the spring wedding date, Roslyn added: 'That will be so nice.'
Meghan and Harry, 33, announced their engagement this morning, via a statement from Kensington Palace.
Scroll down for video
![Royal Engagement: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle finally announced their engagement after weeks of fevered speculation on Monday. The royal couple made their first public appearance hours after breaking the news in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127234946/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/27/14/46BCB55B00000578-0-image-m-3_1511793004568.jpg)
Royal Engagement: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle finally announced their engagement after weeks of fevered speculation on Monday. The royal couple made their first public appearance hours after breaking the news in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace
![Princess wave: Harry and Meghan were beaming during their brief public appearance](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127234946/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/27/14/46BCB09300000578-0-image-m-9_1511793112168.jpg)
![The wedding is expected to take place in spring 2018, with May considered the likeliest date for the nuptials](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127234946/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/27/14/46BCB00000000578-0-image-m-11_1511793136808.jpg)
Princess wave: Harry and Meghan were beaming during their first, but brief, public appearance. The wedding is expected to take place in spring 2018, with May considered the likeliest date for the nuptials
And on Monday, the newly-engaged couple made their first official appearance on British TV to talk about their whirlwind 16-month relationship.
Roslyn, 72, was married to Meghan's father Thomas Markle between 1968 and 1976 and is the mother of his two eldest children: Samantha Grant, 53, and Thomas Markle Jr, 51.
Asked how she thinks Meghan will cope with the transition from actress to princess, Roslyn said: 'Meghan is very well educated.
'She's worked in a professional, public life forever. She's been in the TV industry forever. She's very well educated and she's had a lot of exposure to the public.
'She's going to be just fine.'
Roslyn's comments come in the wake of an official statement from Meghan's parents released this morning by Kensington Palace.
In the message, Markle Sr, 73, and Doria Ragland, 61, said: 'We are incredibly happy for Meghan and Harry.
'Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person. To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for both parents.
![Rosyln Markle, the first wife of Thomas Markle (Meghan's dad) commented on the couple's big news, and said she is 'really happy for them'](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127234946/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/27/15/46A9E79E00000578-5121667-Rosyln_Markle_the_first_wife_of_Thomas_Markle_Meghan_s_dad_comme-a-33_1511795785596.jpg)
![Daddy's girl: Meghan was doted upon by her parents as a teenager, particularly her fiercely protective father, Thomas Markle](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127234946/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/27/15/46BD104B00000578-5121667-image-a-32_1511795785514.jpg)
Rosyln Markle (left), 72, the first wife of Thomas Markle (pictured with Meghan right) commented on the couple's big news, and said she is 'really happy for them'
![Roslyn was married to Thomas Markle (pictured) between 1968 and 1976 and is the mother of his two eldest children Samantha Grant, 53, and Thomas Markle Jr, 51](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127234946/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/27/14/46BCF60C00000578-0-Roslyn_was_married_to_Thomas_Markle_between_1968_and_1976_and_is-a-20_1511794223908.jpg)
Roslyn was married to Thomas Markle (pictured) between 1968 and 1976 and is the mother of his two eldest children Samantha Grant, 53, and Thomas Markle Jr, 51
'We wish them a lifetime of happiness and are very excited for their future.'
Harry's own family have also spoken of their delight at the news of the engagement, with Prince Charles the first to congratulate his youngest son via a message issued by Clarence House.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also congratulated the happy couple, releasing a short official statement that read:
'We are very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together.'
The wedding is expected to take place in spring 2018, with May considered the likeliest date for the nuptials.
Most watched News videos
- 'She's capable of anything' Prince Harry gushes over fiancé Meghan
- Prince Harry: 'Hopefully we'll start a family in the near future'
- 'She's an incredible woman' Meghan Markle on meeting the Queen
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's tender moments during engagement
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle discuss meeting for the first time
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce their engagement
- Meghan Markle says Prince Harry proposal was 'amazing surprise'
- A look back at the regal romance of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
- Prince Charles is 'thrilled' with the news of the engagement
- 'Drugged-up' store clerks appear to fall asleep at the register
- Duchess of Cambridge congratulates Miranda Hart at Royal Variety
- Five facts about upcoming royal wedding of Meghan and Harry
-
Meghan's ex-husband goes to work in Hollywood as her...
-
Harry's $53m personal wealth amassed from Diana's trust...
-
You look like an angel! Melania unveils the first Trump...
-
EXCLUSIVE: Meghan Markle's mom prepared to become a royal...
-
Back to the grind: President Trump comes back to a full...
-
Rings made of Welsh gold, a red carpet-style gown and a...
-
Profile of a princess: How Catholic schoolgirl Meghan...
-
'It's wonderful to see how happy they are together': Kate...
-
'This beautiful woman tripped and fell into my life':...
-
A love nest fit for a Princess! Harry and Meghan will...
-
‘It's days like today I miss her - they'd be thick as...
-
Miss South Africa who was held at gunpoint by carjackers...
-
‘She's an incredible woman!’ Meghan tells how she met the...
-
'Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person....
-
Shocking details emerge in mysterious death of American...
-
PIERS MORGAN: Hearty congratulations, Harry, you picked a...
-
Terminally ill mother who killed her disabled daughter to...
-
Joan Collins hits back at son's claim her ex-husband...