Prince Harry could "elope" with Meghan Markle to avoid a "showy wedding".

The flame-haired Prince and the 'Suits' actress have avoided the spotlight as much as possible since they got together last summer but speculation is rife that they will get engaged soon and it's believed they could shun a traditional royal wedding in a location like Westminster Abbey, London, and jet off abroad instead.

A source told US Weekly: "They could get married somewhere private and elope rather than have a showy wedding."

Meghan was married before to talent manager Trevor Engleston and the couple said their vows in Jamaica in 2011 before they split in 2015.

She's due to turn 36 years old in August, which will also mark the 20th anniversary of Prince Harry's mother Princess Diana's death, and it's thought that he will also propose to his American girlfriend in August so that the month becomes a happier one in his life.

The source added: "He feels getting engaged will lift that gloom forever because he will be able to associate August with something joyful."

And Harry is said to be keen on starting a family once he's a married man.

The source said "He wants to get married and have kids. He's smitten."

Regardless of where the wedding takes place, Harry's friends are convinced the pair will wed and his good pal Kirstie Ennis, a former US marine, dropped a hint about them getting married.

Asked whether she would be attending the "upcoming" wedding, Kirstie nodded and then said: "I don't think I'm worried about the wedding. I'm worried about the after party."