Meghan posed outside Buckingham Palace aged 15

Online Desk

28 Nov 2017 23:57 PM । Update: 29 Nov 2017 00:01 AM

A 15-year-old Meghan Markle poses in front of Buckingham Palace, with friend Ninaki Priddy, during a European trip in 1996

This stunning photo shows Meghan Markle's astonishing rise from teenage fan of the monarchy to member of the Royal Family.

Posing outside Buckingham Palace, the 15-year-old American tourist could not have known she would enter its gates 21 years later as the fiancée of a prince.

The remarkable image – taken during a European summer trip in 1996 – emerged the day after the announcement of her engagement to Harry.

Miss Markle's childhood friend Ninaki Priddy said she was 'not shocked' when she heard of the engagement as it was something the actress had 'planning' all her life

One person says she saw it coming and has warned the prince to be cautious, Daily Mail reports.

'I'm not shocked at all,' said Miss Markle's childhood best friend Ninaki Priddy. 'It's like she has been planning this all her life.

'She gets exactly what she wants and Harry has fallen for her play. She was always fascinated by the Royal Family. She wants to be Princess Diana 2.0. She will play her role ably, but my advice to him is to tread cautiously.'