The Duchess of Sussex and the Queen have undertaken their first joint Royal engagement in Cheshire today.
Crowds of schoolchildren waved Union flags and cheered as Meghan and Her Majesty arrived in the English county for the Royal visit.
Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, waited 10 months before she was invited on an away day with the Queen, which was a trip to Leicester.
While the Queen looked vibrant in lime green on the day the country adopted the colour in memory of the victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster, Meghan was elegant in a custom made cream fitted dress with a cape feature at the shoulders by her wedding dress designer, Givenchy.
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The Queen, 92, and her granddaughter-in-law, 36, arrived at Runcorn Station by Royal Train this morning and will depart by car later for the Mersey Gateway Bridge.
Upon disembarking from the train, they were greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, David Briggs, said to Meghan: “I understand it is your first trip to the north of England.
To which she replied: “That’s correct. I’m very happy to be here.”
After meeting architects and dignitaries, they watched a performance by local schoolchildren entitled “Bringing Communities Together: Halton’s river crossings over the ages”.
The monarch will officially open the bridge, which crosses the River Mersey and is 2.2km long.
Its construction was completed in October 2017, and despite the bridge being in use since, it is yet to have its official unveiling.
The Queen and Meghan Markle step out in CheshirePAAfter this, the Queen and Meghan will officially open the Storyhouse theatre, which has been operating as a library, theatre, cinema, restaurant, bar, community centre and arts hub since it opened its doors in May 2017.
There, they will meet a Syrian settlement group learning craft works and watch a performance by Fallen Angels – a dance theatre company for people recovering from addiction.
Meghan sits next to her grandmother-in-law the QueenPA
The new Duchess of Sussex giggles with the QueenGetty ImagesFollowing that, they will watch a medley of songs from the theatre’s latest production, A Little Night Music.
The pair will then do a walkabout on their way to Chester Town Hall where they will attend a lunch as guests of Chester City Council.
Meghan, the new Duchess of Sussex, supports the Queen on their first outing togetherPAThe news that the monarch personally invited the Duchess of Sussex is further proof that she has been welcomed into the royal fold.
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Meghan accompanied the Queen on board the luxurious Royal Train last night for the overnight journey to Cheshire.
It consists of nine carriages and is over 150 years old.
Meghan and the Queen travelled to Cheshire by Royal TrainPAThe train, which costs approximately £900,000 a year to run, is only used by the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.
The Queen prefers to use the train overnight on long journeys in the UK, which would have been a fresh experience for Meghan.
GC ImagesHer personal saloon on board is 75ft long and includes a bedroom decorated in pastel shades.
Meghan’s husband Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have yet to travel on it for an official engagement.