By INGRID SEWARD

Thoroughly modern, Meghan will add much to the monarchy

The royal family is full of strong women. Despite her very different background, Meghan looks set to complement the bevvy of royal ladies who have served the monarchy so well over the decades.

She survived the tough life of an aspiring actress in Hollywood, her parents’ broken marriage and now the unpleasant publicity created by her half siblings.

Even the furore surrounding her father’s absence by her side for her big day appears not to have fazed her.

She is unstuffy, modern and above all an all-embracing American woman who is proud to show her love for Harry in a tactile and very unroyal way.

When Harry was introduced to Meghan in summer 2016 it was clear he was impressed not only by her looks but her well-developed philanthropic side, which complimented his own charity work. They have said they hope to change the world together. Of course, they won’t do that, but they can bring their own special brand of enthusiasm to the formal royal engagements they seem keen to embrace.

In the past Meghan has said she is not a lady who lunches, but a lady who works.

She will have plenty to be getting on with, but she has to remember it is not all about her any more.

Now she is part of the royal firm she is just a cog in the royal wheel. If she wants to travel around India and Africa dispensing her brand of warm affection to those less fortunate, she will only be able to do so when she is invited.

And she will have to remember there are other members of the family who do the same.

They may not have her attributes and openness, but royal protocol demands every working member of the family must have their turn. In Meghan, Harry has found a loyal friend to give him the stability denied to him during his formative years.

Despite their very different backgrounds, their union looks set to last and Harry’s transformation from wild party boy to yoga-loving Prince has re-established him as a resolute, thoughtful member of the royal family.

Now Meghan will be part of that too and together they have the opportunity to contribute to the modern, 21st Century royal family.