Princess cheeky! Playful Meghan pokes out her TONGUE in front of adoring crowds as she and pregnant Kate stroll side-by-side while the Royals attend church on Christmas Day

  • Meghan Markle has become the first fiancée to join the Royal Family at Sandringham for Christmas
  • She walked side-by-side with future sister-in-law Kate and performed a curtsy for The Queen 
  • Meghan stepped out in eye-catching brown beret and wrapped up warm against chilly winter temperatures
  • The Queen arrived at the service later by car wearing an eye-popping orange jacket with a matching floral hat

  • It was Meghan Markle's biggest day – so far.
    The American actress has become the first fiancee to join the Royal Family at Sandringham for Christmas - and marked the occasion by playfully sticking out her tongue in front of adoring crowds and performing a curtsy for The Queen.
    The Suits actress stepped out in a wide collar camel wrap coat, made by Canadian luxury brand Sentaler, which tapered in around the waist and flared out at the hem, for the St Mary Magdalene Church Christmas service.
    Matching her camel coat with a chestnut-brown felt hat, Meghan wore a pair of coordinating £630 Stuart Weitzman's Hiline high-heeled suede boots.
    Meghan, 36, clutched on to her Royal beau Prince Harry and proudly displayed the engagement ring that he designed before their engagement in November.
    Christmas Day at Sandringham is one of the big draws of the festive season and some had queued since before dawn to catch a glimpse.
    Many royal fans were keen to see the Queen after she missed last year's service with a heavy cold. But numbers were no doubt swelled by the prospect of seeing Miss Markle, 36, who is due to marry Prince Harry at Windsor on May 19.
    Fortunately for her, other young royals were there to whisper some friendly advice. As they left the church, William and Harry could be seen chivalrously guiding Miss Markle through what was to come next.  


    In a cheeky moment, Meghan Markle is pictured sticking her tongue out while waving at the assembled crowds outside the church

    The Fab Four: This picture taken by an onlooker shows Prince William and Kate Middleton walking hand-in-hand - alongside  'couple of the moment' Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who performed a curtsy for The Queen as she embraced Royal traditions
    The Fab Four: This picture taken by an onlooker shows Prince William and Kate Middleton walking hand-in-hand - alongside 'couple of the moment' Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who performed a curtsy for The Queen as she embraced Royal traditions

    The two young Princes are pictured with their partners on the steps outside St Mary Magdalene Church
    The two young Princes are pictured with their partners on the steps outside St Mary Magdalene Church

    The Queen and Prince Philip looked in high spirits after leaving the traditional Christmas Day church service
    The Queen and Prince Philip looked in high spirits after leaving the traditional Christmas Day church service
    Kate Middleton, Prince William, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are pictured bowing and curtsying to the Queen - while Prince Philip looks on

    Kate Middleton, Prince William, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are pictured bowing and curtsying to the Queen - while Prince Philip looks on

    Well-wishers were overjoyed to see the newest Royal couple stepping out with each other for Christmas Day
    Well-wishers were overjoyed to see the newest Royal couple stepping out with each other for Christmas Day

    Harry gesticulated towards the waiting crowds, with whom they would be expected to chat to as they walked back up to the main house.
    Miss Markle could be clearly seen to nod thoughtfully and mouth 'yes' in reply to the prince. She had, unusually for a royal fiancee, been invited by the Queen to join the official festivities.
    At 91, the monarch is much more relaxed about protocol these days, and genuinely delighted to see her grandson so happy.
    Meghan seemed at ease as they smiled and chatted during the short walk to St Mary Magdalene Church alongside William and Kate, who is pregnant with her third child and showed off a small baby bump beneath a striking £2,655 tartan Miu Miu coat.
    It is the first time the two women have been pictured together since Meghan and Prince Harry revealed their impending nuptials.
    The Queen arrived at the service later by car wearing an eye-popping orange jacket with a matching intricate floral hat.
    She completed her look with a £900 round handbag in brown leather and caramel suede with a gold coloured handle made by Chloe, while a pair of Maison Birk diamond earrings added a touch of sparkle to Ms Markle's classy ensemble.
    They are the same £3,500 Snowflake design earrings she wore to her Buckingham Palace dinner last week.  
    While the Queen travelled to church by car, most royals walked the half mile or so. As is tradition, they did not stop on their way into church.
    The service began with the National Anthem and was followed by carols including O Little Town Of Bethlehem, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Angels From The Realms Of Glory and O Come All Ye Faithful. Afterwards the younger royals headed towards the crowds to collect flowers and gifts.

    Meghan wore knee-high boots and was pictured carried a unique brown leather handbag by her side
    Meghan wore knee-high boots and was pictured carried a unique brown leather handbag by her side
    Meghan maintained her composure and kept smiling through the awkward blustery moment
    Meghan maintained her composure and kept smiling through the awkward blustery moment
    As they made the return journey to Sandringham House after the service was over, Ms Markle and Harry stopped to chat to some of the crowd who turned out to see them attend church.
    Among them was Judith Wallis, who was sitting in a wheelchair and is staying at the neighbouring Park House Hotel on her first Christmas Day visit to Sandringham.
    She said Harry recognised her teddy bear called Maureen, which is a mascot for Armed Forces charity SSAFA, and her hat which bore the Gurkha regiment emblem. 
    Miss Wallis, from Chesterfield, who uses a wheelchair, was with a group from disabled charity Leonard Cheshire.
    She said: 'Harry's had his photo taken with Maureen before. It just seemed so natural. She [Meghan] was very, very lovely.' William and Kate stopped to talk to nine-year-old Tallulah Read, who was waiting outside the church with a bunch of flowers.
    Tess Gilder, manager of Park House, which describes itself as a unique hotel for disabled people, was with Ms Wallis. She said of Ms Markle: 'She was just so natural, so lovely.'
    She added: 'I think they just wished us a Happy Christmas and were interested in whether we had been before.'
    William and Kate stopped to talk to nine-year-old Tallulah Read, who was waiting outside the church with a bunch of flowers.
    Tallulah's mother Jacqueline said: 'She [Kate] just asked what time Tallulah woke up this morning and if Santa came.
    'We just asked them if they [Prince George and Princess Charlotte] opened their presents and she said yes, and that they were very excited.' 

    The Queen stood out in the crowd in her bright orange coat as she waved to well-wishers while leaving the church
    The Queen stood out in the crowd in her bright orange coat as she waved to well-wishers while leaving the church
    Meanwhile Camilla wore a bright pink jacket and a matching black-rimmed hat. She looked on as the Queen left the church
    Meanwhile Camilla wore a bright pink jacket and a matching black-rimmed hat. She looked on as the Queen left the church

    At one point following the Christmas Day service, Kate was handed a beautiful bunch of flowers by a well-wisher
    At one point following the Christmas Day service, Kate was handed a beautiful bunch of flowers by a well-wisher
    Kate Middleton flashed a smile at waiting crowds of well-wishers after collecting a bunch of flowers
    Kate Middleton flashed a smile at waiting crowds of well-wishers after collecting a bunch of flowers
    Meghan seemed at ease as she smiled and chatted with Prince Harry while clutching a pair of brown leather gloves in her spare hand
    Meghan seemed at ease as she smiled and chatted with Prince Harry while clutching a pair of brown leather gloves in her spare hand
    Prince George was given the police car he had asked Santa for, William revealed.
    Emily Randall, 31, was first in the queue to get into the area by the church with her boyfriend Jamie Mackay, 42.
    She said they set out from Chichester in Sussex before 10pm on Christmas Eve and arrived at Sandringham around 2am.
    She said: 'We thought it would be really busy. We looked online. We were the first ones here camping in the dark for two hours.'
    She said they had missed the Queen when she visited Chichester, so decided to make the trip to Sandringham.
    Also among the crowd was an American couple who got engaged while they waited to catch a glimpse of the royals. They received personal congratulations from Harry and Miss Markle.

    Michael Metz, 20, from Wisconsin, had proposed to girlfriend Ashley Millican, 20, live on television at about 9am as they queued to get close to the church.
    Harry and Miss Markle picked the couple out of the crowd and went to pass on their best wishes to the couple.
    Mr Metz said: 'They were walking quite fast but they came over and said congratulations.'
    Back at Sandringham House, the Royal Family traditionally indulge in turkey, reared at Sandringham, before settling down to watch TV including the Queen's Christmas Speech.
    The couple are pictured walking into St Mary Magdalene Church, which is just a short walk from the Royal household at Sandringham

    Princess Beatrice and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, were also at the special Christmas Day service this morning
    Princess Beatrice and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, were also at the special Christmas Day service this morning
    Queen welcomes Meghan to the Royal Family as she places engagement portrait of the actress and Prince Harry on table alongside her as she delivers her speech

    The Queen went out of her way to welcome Meghan Markle to the Royal Family in her Christmas message as she said she looked forward to welcoming 'new members' into the family in the New Year.
    A framed photograph of the bride-to-be with her beau Prince Harry was displayed with other family pictures as the monarch spoke, and the couple also featured in video footage aired at the end of the festive broadcast. 
    She will also have been talking about the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's new child which is due to be born in April 2018.

    A framed photograph of the bride-to-be with her beau Prince Harry was displayed with other family pictures as the monarch spoke
    A framed photograph of the bride-to-be with her beau Prince Harry was displayed with other family pictures as the monarch spoke
    The photograph of the prince and his fiancée, taken during their engagement announcement in November, was placed alongside a portrait of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall taken earlier this year by Mario Testino.
    Also on display were photos of the Queen and Prince Philip and their great-grandchildren, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.  
    Ms Markle, 36, who is spending Christmas at Sandringham with Harry and other senior royals, is likely to have watched the Queen's message with members of the monarchy.
    Her appearance in the Queen's end of year address to the nation is another sign of how quickly she has been accepted into Britain's most prominent family.   
    Earlier today, Meghan stunned the crowds as she attended a Christmas church service with the Royal Family.

    The photograph of the prince and his fiancee, and their video footage, were from the day of their engagement announcement in November
    The photograph of the prince and his fiancee, and their video footage, were from the day of their engagement announcement in November
    Earlier today, Meghan stunned the crowds as she attended a Christmas church service in Sandringham with the Royal Family 
    Earlier today, Meghan stunned the crowds as she attended a Christmas church service in Sandringham with the Royal Family 
    The actress stepped out in an eye-catching brown beret and wrapped up warm against the chilly winter temperatures in a beige £986 Sentaler coat which she tied up at the front. 
    Meghan clutched on to her Royal beau Prince Harry, 33, and proudly displayed the engagement ring that he himself designed before their engagement in November.  
    As well as her beret and beige combination, Meghan wore a pair of Stuart Weitzman over-the-knee boots and carried a $1,550 leather handbag by Chloe. She is also wearing a pair of Birks snowflakes earrings - which she donned at the Queen's Christmas lunch. 
    This year, it is understood that Prince Harry and his fiancee will stay with Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge Kate at Anmer Hall, their home in the Sandringham grounds, rather than in the main house.
    Markle will have to adjust to the royal family's idiosyncratic ways and customs, ingrained in centuries of tradition.

    This year, it is understood that Prince Harry and his fiancee will stay with Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge Kate at Anmer Hall, their home in the Sandringham grounds, rather than in the main house.
    Markle will have to adjust to the royal family's idiosyncratic ways and customs, ingrained in centuries of tradition.
    The royals exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, in keeping with German practice.
    Markle is reportedly an animal lover but will have to put up the with royals' tradition of going out shooting on Boxing Day.
    The Queen arrived in a car and joined the group from the house which also included the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales.
    Hundreds of well-wishers turned out to catch a glimpse of the royal family, with some calling out 'Merry Christmas' as they walked past.
    Earlier this morning, Prince Philip led the charge with Prince Charles following closely behind. He walked with his wife Camilla who wore a scarf to cope with the cold.
    His other sons Andrew and Edward were accompanied by their sister Princess Anne who sported a royal purple shawl with a hint of festive red over a deep blue coat.
    But not all of the family were dressed so spectacularly, with Princess Beatrice opting to shun high heels for a pair of dirty trainers - leaving her father the Duke of York looking distinctly unimpressed.
    The Royal Family appeared to be in markedly higher spirits this morning compared to last year when the Queen was forced to miss the service while recovering from a heavy cold.
    She and the Duke of Edinburgh had delayed their trip to the private Sandringham estate by a day after they both became ill.

    The Queen's speech in full

    Sixty years ago today, a young woman spoke about the speed of technological change as she presented the first television broadcast of its kind. She described the moment as a landmark.
    Six decades on, the presenter has 'evolved' somewhat, as has the technology she described. Back then, who could have imagined that people would one day be watching this on laptops and mobile phones – as some of you are today. But I'm also struck by something that hasn't changed. That, whatever the technology, many of you will be watching this at home.
    We think of our homes as places of warmth, familiarity and love; of shared stories and memories, which is perhaps why at this time of year so many return to where they grew up. There is a timeless simplicity to the pull of home. 
    For many, the idea of 'home' reaches beyond a physical building – to a home town or city. This Christmas, I think of London and Manchester, whose powerful identities shone through over the past twelve months in the face of appalling attacks. In Manchester, those targeted included children who had gone to see their favourite singer. A few days after the bombing, I had the privilege of meeting some of the young survivors and their parents. 
    I describe that hospital visit as a 'privilege' because the patients I met were an example to us all, showing extraordinary bravery and resilience. Indeed, many of those who survived the attack came together just days later for a benefit concert. It was a powerful reclaiming of the ground, and of the city those young people call home.
    We expect our homes to be a place of safety – 'sanctuary' even – which makes it all the more shocking when the comfort they provide is shattered. A few weeks ago, The Prince of Wales visited the Caribbean in the aftermath of hurricanes that destroyed entire communities. And here in London, who can forget the sheer awfulness of the Grenfell Tower fire? 
    Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who died and those who lost so much; and we are indebted to members of the emergency services who risked their own lives, this past year, saving others. Many of them, of course, will not be at home today because they are working, to protect us.
    Reflecting on these events makes me grateful for the blessings of home and family, and in particular for 70 years of marriage. I don't know that anyone had invented the term platinum' for a 70th wedding anniversary when I was born. You weren't expected to be around that long. Even Prince Philip has decided it's time to slow down a little – having, as he economically put it, 'done his bit'. But I know his support and unique sense of humour will remain as strong as ever, as we enjoy spending time this Christmas with our family and look forward to welcoming new members into it next year. 
    In 2018 I will open my home to a different type of family: the leaders of the fifty-two nations of the Commonwealth, as they gather in the UK for a summit. The Commonwealth has an inspiring way of bringing people together, be it through the Commonwealth Games – which begin in a few months' time on Australia's Gold Coast – or through bodies like the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra & Choir: a reminder of how truly vibrant this international family is. 
    Today we celebrate Christmas, which itself is sometimes described as a festival of the home. Families travel long distances to be together. Volunteers and charities, as well as many churches, arrange meals for the homeless and those who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Day. We remember the birth of Jesus Christ whose only sanctuary was a stable in Bethlehem. He knew rejection, hardship and persecution; and yet it is Jesus Christ's generous love and example which has inspired me through good times and bad.
    Whatever your own experiences this year; wherever and however you are watching, I wish you a peaceful and very happy Christmas.


    Royal fan's Christmas surprise as her boyfriend proposes to her live on TV at Sandringham

    One Royal Family fan received an unexpected Christmas surprise as her boyfriend proposed to her live on TV while they queued to catch a glimpse of Meghan Markle.
    American couple Mike Metz and Ashley Millican, both aged 20 and visiting their UK-based relative from Wisconsin, were waiting to see the Queen, Prince Harry and his fiancee attend St Mary Magdalene Church on the Queen's Sandringham Estate for the Christmas Day service when Mike got on one knee.
    Asked by Sky News Royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills why it was so important for them to come and see the royals on Christmas morning, Mr Metz got on one knee and said: 'I want to spend the rest of my Christmases with you Ashley, so I don't know if you want to marry me?'
    Putting her hand to her mouth and fighting back tears, she replied: 'Yes. Oh my God.'

    Mills, who had been tipped off about the proposal, asked how them both how they were feeling, to which Mr Metz said: 'I'm feeling great, excited.'
    Ashley, who said she was not expecting it, replied: 'Good, it's my grandmother's ring, it's very pretty.'
    Presenter Kay Burley, in the studio, said: 'Unbelievable, fantastic and thank goodness she said 'yes'.'
    Mr Metz said the couple planned to tie the knot in around 18 months' time and would 'absolutely' watch the Royal wedding.
    Burley ended the item saying: 'That's amazing, and thank goodness she had her nails done as well.'
    Miss Millican, from Texas, said the proposal came as a complete surprise.

    Mr Metz said the couple planned to tie the knot in around 18 months' time and would 'absolutely' watch the Royal wedding
    Mr Metz said the couple planned to tie the knot in around 18 months' time and would 'absolutely' watch the Royal wedding
    'I had no idea,' she said, adding: 'I was definitely very surprised. I never thought he would ask me right before we were about to see the Royal Family for the first time. It was a big surprise.' 
    It is her first holiday outside America and she said they had a two-week trip planned in which they would visit London.
    Mr Metz, of Wisconsin, said he started to plan the proposal in August, asked Miss Millican's parents in September and was nervous ahead of the day.
    'It was pretty tough to keep secret as I was so excited. It's memories to cherish forever.'

    No comments:

    Powered by Blogger.