Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Join the Royal Family for Christmas Lunch With the Queen
Meghan Markle’s first holiday season with the royals is shaping up to be a busy one! Last week, she and Prince Harry surprised guests at Queen Elizabeth II’s staff holiday party, and next week, she’ll break royal tradition by joining her fiancé for Christmas Day at Sandringham. This week, she joined Harry, his brother, Prince William, and William’s wife, Duchess Kate Middleton, for Christmas lunch with the Queen.
Photos of the couple arriving at the lunch show Harry driving a Land Rover Discovery with Markle in the passenger seat. According to People, they joined more than 50 royal family members, including Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, and Zara and Mike Tindall.
While Markle has reportedly already charmed the Queen on a few occasions, this is likely the first time she has encountered the entire family all at once. And while it was likely a little daunting, we have no doubt that the 36-year-old was welcomed into the palace with open arms. Especially if the corgis were there, though they’d have wagging tails, not open arms.
As for time with the Queen, the bride-to-be said in her recent BBC interview that it’s been a special experience. “It’s incredible,” she gushed. “To be able to meet her through [Prince Harry’s] lens, not just with his honor and respect for her as monarch, but with the love he has for her as his grandmother. She’s an incredible woman.”
We can’t wait to get details about Markle’s first Christmas day with the royal grandmother and, of course, little Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Do you remember the first time you spent the holidays with your partner’s family? Let us know @BritandCo!
(photos via Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images + Chris Jackson/Getty Images)