Meghan joins Queen for first time at Commonwealth Day celebration
SHE may not be a member of the Royal Family yet, but Meghan Markle joined the Queen and senior Royals for one of the most important events of the monarch’s year at the Commonwealth Day service.
The US actress’s attendance at the Westminster Abbey service marks a major milestone for Harry’s bride-to-be, as it the first time she has taken part in an official event with the Queen.
Celebrated across the Commonwealth, the day is an opportunity for each of the institution’s 53 member states to highlight the positive values of the family of nations.
In her Commonwealth Day message, the Queen praised the “Commonwealth connection”, which allows people from different nations to bond and celebrate “diversity”.
London will soon host a gathering of leaders from the family of nations and the Queen, who is head of the Commonwealth, also paid tribute to the biennial event as an example of how consensus can “help to create a future that is fairer, more secure, more prosperous and sustainable”. With the UK leaving the European Union, the importance of the Commonwealth may increase, according to some commentators. Members of the Royal Family arrived ahead of the Queen including the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke of York and Princess Royal, as did Prime Minister Theresa May.
Screams and shouts from the public greeted Meghan and Harry when they arrived and the American actress looked stylish in a dress and coat by Amanda Wakeley and hat by Stephen Jones.
The Duchess of Cambridge, who was joined by the Duke, wore a dress and coat by Beulah and hat by Lock and Co.
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell led a protest across the road from the Abbey and chanted slogans as demonstrators called for greater rights for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community in Commonwealth countries.