Every special moment Meghan has shared with the Queen

July 31, 2018

From the start of her whirlwind romance with <a href="/tags/0/prince-harry/">Prince Harry</a>, <a href="/tags/0/meghan-markle/">Meghan Markle</a> has received a warm welcome from the <a href="/tags/0/british-royals/">Royal Family</a>, starting with its matriarch. After seeing how happy she makes her grandson, <a href="/tags/0/queen-elizabeth-ii/">the Queen</a> has broken royal protocols and accelerated milestone moments to ensure that the former <i>Suits</i> star feels right at home in the Mountbatten-Windsor family.
<p>From private tea parties at Buckingham Palace to holidaying in Norfolk to standing by her side at monumental celebrations, Meghan and the Queen have become fast friends. <strong>Click through to relive every bonding moment the pair has shared so far… </strong><p>

Royal brides-to-be don't usually get a coveted invite to Christmas at Sandringham, but just a few weeks after the world learned of Prince Harry and Meghan's engagement, the Queen went against protocol and invited her future granddaughter-in-law to the annual holiday celebration.
<p>With Her Majesty leading the way, Meghan joined the rest of the Royal Family in the traditional procession to the church, and took part in her first royal curtsy. The special occasion marked Meghan's first public appearance with the Queen and proved how excited the monarch was to welcome her into the family.</p>
<p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>

An estimated 1.9 billion people tuned in to watch the royal wedding, but only one person had the best seat in the house and that was the Queen. The monarch didn't just keep a loving eye over the proceedings at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, but she made sure Meghan glistened on her special day in the form of a cherished tiara from her magnificent jewelry collection.
<p>Meghan topped her custom Givenchy gown with Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara, complete with interlaced diamonds and an 11-stone brooch at its centre. The priceless headpiece represented the special bond the Queen now shares with her new family member and acted as a quiet blessing of her union with Prince Harry.</p>
<p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>

The Queen and Meghan giggled their way through their first official joint engagement together in June 2018. The monarch invited Prince Harry's new bridge to join her on a day of activities in Cheshire, and after Meghan got a coveted seat on the royal train, the duo carried out a series of appearances that included a lively performance by a children's choir.
<p>Despite it being her biggest royal outing to date, Meghan looked completely relaxed as she mingled with the monarch and local dignitaries. </p>
<p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>

Having Meghan join her for a day of engagements was a way for the Queen to tell the world how much she trusted and enjoyed the company of her new granddaughter-in-law.
<p>In addition to their shared love for Prince Harry, the ladies of Windsor are all about fashion! Meghan dazzled in a neutral ensemble by Givenchy, while the Queen added a pop of colour to the monumental occasion in an elegant lime-green skirt suit by Stewart Parvin.</p>
<p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>

After her nearly 67-year reign on the throne, the Queen is the ultimate teacher when it comes to all things royal and knows firsthand the challenges that come with transitioning to life in the monarchy. As a young girl she watched as her father unexpectedly became King George VI following the abdication of King Edward VIII, and subsequently found herself with the title of heir apparent.

While Meghan's road to royal life was drastically different than that of the Queen, they have both found themselves navigating unchartered waters. Luckily for the former Suits star, her grandmother-in-law is game to show her the royal ropes, including how to carry out the perfect walkabout, as seen here during an outing in Cheshire. Her Majesty was also happy to guide Meghan in royal protocol as they got into the car after their train ride, saying "You go first."

It just so happens that the two important ladies in Prince Harry’s life share a very special bond – they both have an affinity for the country of Malta. Meghan's great-great grandmother Mary Bird was born there, while the Queen has had a longstanding love affair with the country after spending the early years of her marriage stationed on the island.
<p>In 2015, the former <i>Suits</i> star embarked on an emotional trip to Malta to learn more about her ancestry. Speaking to a local media outlet, the California native explained, “The trip was mostly about trying to understand where I come from, my identity. There is something so lovely about fitting in a piece of the puzzle."</p>
<p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>

<p>The Duchess of Sussex made her Royal Ascot debut in June 2018, joining Prince Harry and the Queen in the Royal Enclosure. Meghan and Her Majesty were spotted in deep conversation, perhaps chatting about their picks for the winner's circle.</p>
<p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>

Meghan was by the Queen's side on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the RAF flypast in celebration of the air force's 100th anniversary. The occasion was particularly sentimental for Her Majesty, who opened up about her late father's time as a Royal Air Force pilot during a moving speech prior to the flypast.
<p>"In 1918, my father, King George VI, served alongside one of the Service's founders, Lord Trenchard, before becoming the first of my family to qualify as a Royal Air Force pilot. That family tradition continues to this day: The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duke of Cambridge have all earned their Wings, and wear them with great pride," she remarked.</p>
<p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>

The dynamic duo was all smiles as they watched 100 RAF planes take part in the air show, which was also enjoyed by thousands of royal fans lining the Mall.
<p>This was the second time Meghan appeared on the palace balcony. Just three weeks after tying the knot, the duchess, dressed in blush pink Carolina Herrera, took part in her first of many Trooping the Colour parades. </p>
<p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>