Prince Harry and Meghan Markle today released three touchingly intimate official engagement portraits, revealing a couple deeply in love nearly a month after announcing their plans to get married.

The refreshingly warm photographs taken at Frogmore House, a private royal residence in the grounds of Windsor Castle, will be welcomed as a contrast to many of the more formal royal engagement portraits of the past, according to the Daily Mail.

Celebrated fashion and celebrity photographer Alexi Lubomirski - who has snapped everyone from Julia Roberts to Angelina Jolie - was said by a body language expert to have captured their "high levels of sexual attraction".

 

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose an official engagement photo, at Frogmore House, in Windsor, England. (Photo / AP)

Lubomirski, who has previously worked with photographer Mario Testino, a favourite of Prince William and Princess Diana, described taking the pictures in Berkshire this week as "an incredible honour".

An intimate black and white portrait of the newly engaged couple embracing was published by Kensington Palace this morning with an endearing but more formal picture of them sitting together holding hands.

A third portrait was then released two hours later as a "candid photograph from the day of their portrait sittings", with Kensington Palace saying the couple thanked well-wishers for their "warm and generous messages".

Meghan is wearing a one-of-a-kind sheer couture dress worth a whopping £56,000 (NZ$106,704) , along with a jumper designed by Victoria Beckham. Kensington Palace confirmed to MailOnline that the dress by British firm Ralph & Russo was 'privately purchased', although it is not clear who bought it - or whether the full price was paid for it.

The couple released the first two pictures at 11am today, before Kensington Palace put out another one at 1pm, saying: "Thank you so much for all of the wonderful comments following the release of Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle's engagement photographs.

"The couple are so grateful for the warm and generous messages they have received during such a happy time in their lives.

"As a way to say thank you, they have decided to share this candid photograph from the day of their portrait sittings directly with all of you."

 

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for one of two official engagement photos, at Frogmore House, in Windsor, England. (Photo / AP)

The black and white image, taken in the grounds of the house, shows the prince and his fiancée smiling, and embracing as their heads touch.

Meghan holds the prince's face, with her engagement ring prominent, as he wraps his arms around her.

The other photograph shows the couple, dressed smartly, sat on the steps of Frogmore with the US former actress just below her fiance.

Meghan places her left hand on Harry's right hand, again showing her engagement ring, as they both look at the photographer.

Meghan chose a couture gown by British label Ralph & Russo, which is understood to have cost an eye-watering £56,000 (NZ$106,000) - plus VAT - to pose in her husband-to-be's arms on the steps of Frogmore House.

It was anything but a safe choice from the star for the couple's official portrait, given that the bodice of the dress is entirely sheer.

 

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for one of two official engagement photos, at Frogmore House, in Windsor, England. (Photo / AP)

When it appeared on the A/W 16/17 catwalk, the model wore it without a bra underneath.

Ralph & Russo, based in London, has investors including Phones4u founder and British billionaire John Caudwell.

For a second, close-up photo of the couple embracing, Meghan is wearing a cream jumper understood to by Victoria Beckham, in a huge coup for the Spice Girl turned fashion designer.

Apparently also keen to support British brands for the special shoot, Prince Harry chose a coat by Burberry for their black and white picture.

Harry brought his new fiancée to the Queen's annual Christmas lunch at the palace yesterday, where she was introduced to almost every member of the Royal Family.

The couple announced their engagement on November 27 and a few days later a proud prince introduced his bride-to-be to the nation during a series of official events in Nottingham.

It has already been confirmed that Meghan will be part of the royal party at Sandringham for Christmas. Harry and Meghan will marry at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19.

Last month they said they had chosen Windsor because it was a "very special place" for the prince, and said that he and Meghan had regularly spent time there together during their 16-month romance.

It appears they again chose the "beautiful grounds" of the Queen's Berkshire residence for the new photographs, released today to mark their engagement.

Royal aides said the couple's choice of photographer didn't come from a personal relationship – they simply liked his work.

Mr Lubomirski said: "It was an incredible honour to be asked to document this wonderful event, but also a great privilege to be invited to share and be a witness to this young couple's love for one another.

"I cannot help but smile when I look at the photos that we took of them, such was their happiness together."