Prince Harry and Meghan Markle put on an affectionate display as they attend wedding in Jamaica

As they stand hand-in-hand chatting animatedly to another wedding guest, they look like a couple who have been together for years.

Just hours earlier, Meghan Markle had been seen tenderly putting her arm around Prince Harry as they joined crowds outside a Jamaican church.

The couple, who have only been together since last summer, were attending the wedding of one of the royal's closest friends.

They showed no concern when it came to public displays of affection at what is thought to be their first formal outing as a couple.

The couple flew into the country separately earlier this week, ahead of the ceremony at the Hopewell Baptist Church in Montego Bay on Friday. 

The American actress, 35, stunned in a floor-length printed dress, believed to be by Erdem, which she matched with a nude clutch bag and large black sunglasses.

The Canadian-born designer is a favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge's, who this week wore a metallic Erdem dress for a reception at Buckingham Palace.

She was also spotted in a flower-patterned dress by the same designer during an official outing in January, while their colourful coats are another one of her staples.

The Prince, meanwhile, wore a navy suit and yellow corsage, which matched Miss Markle's dress, as he undertook his official usher duties for the wedding between his Eton friend Tom 'Skippy' Inskip and Lara Hughes-Young.  

He has known Mr Inskip since his school days, with the pair holidaying together including to Las Vegas, which saw pictures emerge appearing to show the Prince with no clothes on at a pool party. 

The fifth in line to the throne, 32, is believed to have arrived in the country on Wednesday around 4pm. Miss Markle reportedly arrived after him, flying from Toronto. 

The three-day wedding event has been dubbed the “mother of all parties” in some reports, which have even claimed Usain Bolt - Jamaica’s Olympic champion - might make an appearance.

It is believed to be being held, at least in part, at the Round Hill Hotel and Villas, a private 110-acre plantation-style resort first built as a colony of cottages for the rich, famous and glamorous of the 1950s.

Photographs of the venue show the sprawling property's luxurious decked areas and oceanfront rooms, which look out over Round Hill Bay. An infinity pool and spa are also on offer, while wedding guests could dine in a banquet hall, featuring floor-to-ceiling French doors. 

A picture uploaded to Instagram on Friday by one guest showed the bride looking out over the Carribbean. It was simply captioned: “Psyching up.”

The Prince and Miss Markle were initially spotted outside the church with their arms around each other. They were later seen sat close together at an elegantly-dressed table, which had two flutes of Champagne and a pineapple on, and was surrounded by palm trees.

The actress could be seen touching the Prince’s arm and shoulder as she talked to another female guest. The couple are believed to be staying in Jamaica until Wednesday, when the Prince is due to depart, local media reports suggested.

Miss Markle is said to have been introduced to the bride and groom during one of her trips to London, with Ms Hughes-Young reportedly describing her in glowing terms.

The couple were last spotted holding hands after leaving a club in Soho together at the beginning of February. They were also seen late last year leaving a London theatre, having watching The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

But, despite many reports suggesting she has met the Prince's friends and family, there have not been any pictures to clarify the rumours.  The couple have been dating since last summer, with their relationship confirmed last November. 

The actress, who is divorced, married her former husband, producer Trevor Engleson, in Jamaica in 2011 but they split two years later.

Her relationship with the Prince is said to be serious, despite the fact the fact that he lives at Kensington Palace she lives in Canada, where her career has taken off since she landed a role in Suits in 2011. Kensington Palace has so far declined to comment on the couple's visit to Jamaica.

Meghan Markle: best looks