Joining dozens of world leaders in congratulating Britain’s Prince Harry on his engagement to American actress Meghan Markle, Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin on Monday invited the royal couple to honeymoon in the Holy Land.
Mazal Tov to HRH Prince Harry & fiancé @MeghanMarkle. Sending our warmest regards to Her Majesty the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, all the Royal Family & the British people, from Nechama & me, & all the Israeli people. We invite them to enjoy their honeymoon in Israel!
— Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) November 27, 2017
“Mazal tov to HRH (His Royal Highness) Prince Harry and fiance Meghan Markle,” the president wrote on Twitter, sending warm wishes to the royal family from “all the Israeli people.”
“We invite them to enjoy their honeymoon in Israel!” The tweet concluded.
Prince Harry announced his engagement to the “Suits” star Meghan Markle on Monday after months of speculation that the two would marry. The couple dated long-distance for a year after meeting in London in the summer of 2016.
Markle, a successful Hollywood actress and humanitarian advocate, is an unusual addition to the royal family: American, biracial, divorced, and three years older than the prince, royal watchers say she will help the crown family’s ongoing transition into the modern age.
The family welcomed the announcement, with the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and Duchess Kate all expressing warm joy for the couple. World leaders chimed in with congratulations.
No member of the British royal family has ever made an official state visit to Israel, though many have made personal visits. Most recently, Prince Charles visited Israel last September to attend the funeral of former president Shimon Peres.
In March, rumors spread that Charles would return for an official visit in order to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, but the United Kingdom quietly cancelled the planned trip in May, allegedly due to concerns over alienating Arab states.
