Meghan Markle quits Suits, fuelling Prince Harry marriage claims

Speculation that their relationship is heading for marriage has reached fever pitch in recent months.

And Meghan Markle is said to have quit her highly successful role on Suits amid claims she will announce her engagement to Prince Harry before Christmas, reports The Daily Star Sunday.

The American actress, 36, who found fame as feisty paralegal Rachel Zane on the popular US drama is 2011, has reportedly told TV bosses that she will not be returning for the show's eighth season next year.

A source told the website: "Meghan knows she can't really act at the same time as being a princess and is happy to make this career sacrifice.

"She really enjoys her charity work with Unicef and will broaden out her charity commitments when she becomes a full-time royal."

The brunette beauty will reportedly wrap up filming next month, with the couple said to announce their plans to wed before the festive period.

This comes after royal sources exclusively told the Daily Mail that the couple are house-hunting in Oxfordshire and are particularly interested in high-end properties tucked away in the rolling Cotswold hills.

A good friend of Harry's says the Prince, whose father's residence, Highgrove House, is in the south Cotswolds, has a long-standing affection for the area, while Meghan is said to be entranced by its rustic charm.

"He is searching for a new home in the area," the friend reveals.

"Before Meghan, he was vaguely looking in Norfolk, but didn't find what he wanted. Now, with her input, he's renewed his search."