Meghan Markle made her first solo appearance with the Queen
Not even a month after officially becoming the Duchess of Sussex, newlywed Meghan Markle has undergone her first solo appearance with Queen Elizabeth II. She and the monarch set out to visit Cheshire on June 14.
The pair arrived by train, on which they slept overnight, and stepped out looking quite at ease. Markle opted for a beige dress from Givenchy, her wedding dress designer, while the Queen went with a bold lime green outfit.
The twosome had many activities during their visit, including greeting members of the public, hearing a performance by local schoolchildren and having the Queen formally open the Mersey Gateway Bridge.
Despite the nerves that likely surround spending one-on-one time with your grandmother-in-law (who also happens to be the Queen of England), Markle seemed comfortable in her duties as family member and Duchess.
She was all smiles as she paused to speak with members of the public, as well.
This is just the first stop on the list for the royal duo. Markle and the Queen will make several stops in the area, including a visit to a Syrian settlement group, before returning home to London.
Solo Outings
It’s typical for the Queen to take a solo trip with members of the family, especially those just settling in.
“It is the way of the royal family — all part of the training and getting used to being in public life and under public scrutiny,” Queen Elizabeth’s former press secretary, Charles Anson, told People magazine. “Showing people the ropes is a high priority for the Queen.”
In fact, the Queen also traveled alone with Kate Middleton back in 2012. Their visit came almost one year after Middleton had married Prince William, so she was already in the swing of things as far as her royal duties were concerned.
Markle’s Relationship With The Queen
Markle has opened up about her admiration for Queen Elizabeth, so it’s not a surprise to see them get along so well.
“When I met her I had such a deep understanding and, of course, incredible respect for being able to have that time with her, and she’s an incredible woman,” Markle said in the first post-engagement interview with the BBC. (Markle also shared a delightful story about how much the Queen’s dogs love her!)
Leading up to Markle’s May 19 wedding to Prince Harry, the Queen gave her blessing to the couple. The official document giving her approval, called the Instrument of Consent, read:
“Now know ye that We have consented and do by these Presents signify Our Consent to the contracting of Matrimony between Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales, K.C.V.O., and Rachel Meghan Markle.”
A bit formal — but her blessing, none the less. What more could you expect from the Queen?