Prince William responded with a diplomatic laugh when the prospect of Prince Harry marrying Meghan Markle was put to him.

Prince William

Prince William

The 33-year-old royal and the 'Suits' actress have been dating since mid-2016 and rumours have recently been rife that the couple could tie the knot over the next 12 months - but Prince William has remained tight-lipped amid the speculation.

During the Prince's recent visit to Milton Keynes, where he met craftsmen who make the vellum for royal document, Paul Wright, the general manager for William Cowley Parchment Makers, told him: "If Prince Harry marries Meghan then his certificate will be on our vellum."

The Instrument of Consent proclaims the monarch's approval of a marriage.

But, apparently, when the Prince was informed of the use of the vellum, he responded in cryptic fashion.

Paul explained: "William just laughed - a nice laugh."

Prince William's coy response to the marriage speculation comes shortly after it was reported that Meghan has asked the Duchess of Cambridge to be her maid of honour.

Prince Harry has yet to propose to his girlfriend, but it's been claimed that the 36-year-old actress has already started to put plans in place for her big day, including inviting Duchess Catherine - who is married to Harry's older brother - to be her chief bridesmaid.

The brunette beauty is reported to have sent her prospective sister-in-law a rose gold diamond bracelet, which is believed to have cost Meghan over £1,000, alongside a note asking Catherine to take on the important role.