Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to ask the Archbishop of Canterbury for his blessing for a church wedding.

Prince Harry

Prince Harry

The couple have been dating for over 16 months and it's believed an engagement announcement is "imminent", but it's thought the flame-haired prince wants to make sure they'd be able to tie the knot in Westminster Abbey - where his brother Prince William married his wife Duchess Catherine in 2011 - before they make their news public.

Their wedding venue is dependent on rules and regulations as Meghan, 36, was previously married to TV producer Trevor Engelson and is of a Jewish faith, but officials at the Abbey have said the couple can get hitched there but they will need a marriage licence from the Archbishop's faculty office before they can walk down the aisle and tie the knot.

A spokesman for Westminster Abbey said previously: "The Abbey follows the General Synod Ruling of 2002. Since then it has been possible for divorced people to be married in the Church of England."

However, the couple have plenty of options if they decide they don't want to exchange vows at the Abbey as they're reportedly been given the go-ahead to wed at St Paul's Cathedral - just like Harry's parents Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana did in 1981.

However, the flame-haired prince - who is currently fifth-in-line to the throne - will need permission from his grandmother Queen Elizabeth to marry the brunette beauty - but it looks like she's already won her over.

One source said of the meeting last month: "The couple arrived in time for tea at around 5pm. It is the queen's favourite part of the day and she loves it when her grandchildren are able to join her.

"She normally sits for half an hour eating from a selection of sandwiches, fruit or plain scones and cake. It is served with her own blend of Darjeeling and Assam tea, known as Queen Mary's blend."