Prince Harry's girlfriend to meet the Duke and Duchess

Prince Harry's girlfriend is poised to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for the first time this weekend after it emerged she has been staying at Kensington Palace this week.

Meghan Markle, 35, an American actress, was photographed shopping on Kensington High Street in London on Thursday before walking back to the palace, where she is understood to have spent several days.

Prince William and Kate. Photo / AP

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who also live at Kensington Palace when they are in London, are spending this weekend in the capital to take part in Remembrance events, giving Prince Harry the perfect opportunity to introduce Miss Markle to his brother and sister-in-law.

The Prince of Wales has also returned to London from his tour of the Middle East, leaving open the possibility that Prince Harry, 32, could introduce his girlfriend to his father.

American actress Meghan Markle. Photo / Getty Images

Yesterday, the Prince left Miss Markle home alone in the palace as he led the nation in commemorating Armistice Day at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Wearing his Household Cavalry No?1 dress uniform he gave a stirring reading of Rupert Brooke's poem

The Soldier

and laid a wreath at the Armed Forces Memorial.

Prince Harry and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Photo / Getty Images

Afterwards he stopped to chat to schoolchildren. Their teaching assistant, Emma Shelley, 40, said: "It's great he's got a new girlfriend. He seems very happy and upbeat which is fantastic."

It has been reported that Miss Markle was already in London when Prince Harry released a statement on Tuesday confirming their relationship.