With news of a royal engagement expected to happen any day now, it's no surprise actress Meghan Markle is looking to exit her hit show Suits as her relationship with boyfriend Prince Harry intensifies.
According to Deadline, both Markle and her co-star Patrick J. Adams are looking to depart the popular legal show at the end of Season 7, which is expected to broadcast its final six episodes in early 2018.
The rumours add fuel to the fire that the Californian beauty is planning on heading over to Blighty to be with Harry on a permanent basis, months after it was widely believed she was considering moving into his Kensington Palace home.
The contracts of all Suits original cast members - including Adams and Markle - are reportedly up after Season 7, meaning Markle will be free to dedicate more time to her year-long relationship with her beau, months after meeting his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Markle currently plays Rachel Zane, a former paralegal who is now a lawyer and engaged to Mike Ross (Adams' character), which would make a double departure from the show easier for the pair.
The news comes the same day Prince Harry delivered an emotional speech on ending mental health stigmas at the 24th Virgin Money Media Mind Media Awards in London.
Handed over the Speaking Out award at the ceremony, the 33-year-old royal spoke of the challenges of mental health, saying: 'People seem ready for a different kind of conversation on mental health. Everyone was tired of stigma and scare stories around mental illness.
'People are now really talking about their own well being and how to help those around them,' he continued. 'We are shattering the since that was a real barrier to progress.'
Mental health is an issue close to the royal's heart, as he, his brother, and sister-in-law Kate Middleton have been at the forefront of a campaign, Heads Together, to work towards raising awareness of the importance of speaking about the life-altering condition.
Might we see Markle presenting an award at the ceremony next year?
At this rate, we wouldn't be surprised.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
