Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shop for a Christmas tree

Prince Harry made his first public outing with his actress girlfriend Meghan Markle in London on Monday (12Dec16) as the couple hunted down their first Christmas tree together.

The Suits star's relationship with the British royal was made public in October (16), when it was revealed the couple had been dating for a few months.

Harry recently took a detour to visit Meghan in Toronto, Canada following his official two-week tour of the Caribbean earlier this month (Dec16), and now the actress has been spotted back in the British capital spending some time with her man.

According to reports, Meghan arrived in London on Sunday (11Dec16), and has been staying with the prince at his Nottingham Cottage home at Kensington Palace, but on Monday, they stepped out together for the first time to pick out a Christmas tree.

The couple stopped at Pines and Needles in Battersea Park and settled on a tall Nordmann's fir, which Harry and Meghan packed into a car themselves.

Store employee Ollie Wilkinson tells UsMagazine.com, "I gave them a bunch of mistletoe. He smelled one of the berries and said it 'smelled a bit weird' and (Meghan) said she liked it. Then they got into the car. They walked off holding hands with (Harry) holding the tree in one hand."

"It was fantastic having them in the store," company owner Sam Lyle adds. "They picked out a lovely tree and were both very happy with their purchase. I'm sure they'll have a great time decorating."

Sources tell the outlet the actress' trip was a last-minute affair as she wanted to escape the media scrutiny she is now having to deal with whenever she steps out of her Toronto home.

"Harry and Meghan... really wanted to see each other," the insider shares. "Meghan had an overwhelming few days in Toronto - cameras wherever she went, feeling like she was being followed... This is all very surreal to her. She feels safe with Harry."

The couple is also reportedly planning a week-long vacation getaway for later this month (Dec16).