In a stunning departure from royal custom, the late Queen Elizabeth II welcomed Meghan Markle into the royal fold earlier than her official wedding ceremony to Prince Harry in 2018.
Unlike previous royal fiancées, Meghan was invited to spend Christmas with the royal household in December 2017, a gesture normally reserved for spouses or direct members of the family.
This early inclusion marked a major departure, as neither Kate Middleton nor Sophie, Countess of Wessex, had been invited to Sandringham till after their marriages.
Additionally, Meghan made historical past in March 2018 when she attended the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey alongside senior members of the royal household, together with Prince William and Kate Middleton.
At the time, she was not but married to Harry, however she was already seated among the many top-tier royals.
This fast acceptance into the royal highlight was seen as a sign of the Queen’s approval, as she was perceived to view Meghan as a mature and succesful particular person who was prepared to hitch the royal household immediately.
Speaking on the Daily Mail’s Reading the Royals, professional Richard Eden steered the Queen was motivated by three key components. “I feel it was a reference to Meghan’s age and maturity, and that she felt she’s a longtime determine,” he stated.
“She’s an actress – not somebody like Princess Diana or Catherine who had been youthful and fewer skilled. She actually felt that right here was somebody who was prepared to hitch The Firm instantly.” Furthermore, in response to Eden, the Queen felt that Meghan – “a divorced, mixed-race American actress – could be a breath of recent air and an excellent asset to the Monarchy”.
Prince Harry later spoke about Meghan’s first Christmas with the royal household – and stated it had been an enormous success.
He instructed BBC Radio 4’s Today present: ” I feel collectively we had an incredible time. We had nice enjoyable staying with my brother and sister-in-law and operating spherical with the children. Christmas was unbelievable.”
Asked if there have been any household traditions that needed to be defined to his associate, Harry divulged: “She’s performed a completely wonderful job. She’s getting in there and it’s the household I suppose that she’s by no means had.”
