CROWNING AROUND
Meghan Markle shares a giggle with the Queen in Cheshire on their first joint public engagement
The Duchess of Sussex has hit the ground running in her new role as a royal, joining the Queen for a full day of engagements today
MEGHAN Markle today shared a giggle with The Queen - appearing in good spirits for her first royal engagement without Prince Harry by her side.
The 36-year-old former actress looked relaxed as she was shown the ropes by the 92-year-old monarch in the visit to Cheshire.
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The pair even shared a joke as they took their seats for a children's music medley performance that included The Beatles' tune Can't Buy Me Love to signal the opening of a new bridge across the River Mersey in Widnes.
Today is a crash course in British culture for the American, who admitted the trip was her first time to the North of England.
Following in the Queen's footsteps as she greeted local dignitaries, Meghan told them: "I’m very happy to be here."
The royals were met with wild cheering and applause from hundreds of flag-waving schoolchildren - with Meghan taking to her new role effortlessly.
Meghan Markle delighted on first trip 'up north' as she steps out with The Queen in Cheshire
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Both seemed in good spirits for the trip, with it a chance for Meghan to start getting her head around royal protocol.
It took the Duchess of Cambridge ten months after her marriage to Prince William to attend a similar event.
Meghan and The Queen had been welcomed at Runcorn station with polite handshakes and curtsies from local dignitaries including David Briggs MBE, the Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire.
The Duchess of Sussex looked regal in a neutral dress by Givenchy paired with black accessories, standing demurely behind her new grandmother-in-law.
Her pearl and diamond earrings were a gift from the Queen - although it is not known exactly when the jewellery was gifted to Meghan.
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Mr Curphey, 32, who met the Royals after the performance by the Andrew Curphey Theatre Company, said: "The Queen said she thoroughly enjoyed it and it was lovely to see the history of the bridge on the videos.
"As Meghan walked away from me she turned back and said: 'The children did great, by the way.'
"Meghan seemed really, really calm considering it was her first official engagement with the boss!"
Meghan stunned in the neutral fitted belted pencil dress, featuring an unusual cape shoulder detail.
But she chose to have her hair down and forgo gloves for the day out.
The Queen herself made sure to stand out - with today no exception to her love of signature bright block colours and matching hats.
The monarch donned a bright green dress by Stewart Parvin and matching hat by Rachel Trevor Morgan for the day.
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It has been suggested The Queen chose the bright green hue in show of solidarity to the Grenfell Tower fire.
More than 70 people were killed in the blaze today one year ago, with the colour green becoming a symbol of the tragedy.
Both The Queen and Meghan fell silent at midday to mark the first anniversary of the horrific fire, paying tribute to the lives lost.
The occasion added a sombre note to the otherwise happy tour of Cheshire that saw the monarch and Meghan side by side.
And the time spent together on the overnight train may have helped them solidify their friendship despite their more than 50 year age gap - with the pair today seen smiling and giggling together.
But there appeared to be a little bit of confusion as Meghan and The Queen were ushered to the waiting car.
The US actress could be seen speaking to the monarch about who should get in first - with Meghan hopping in first.
Meghan Markle asks The Queen who should go in royal car first amid confusion in Cheshire
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The pair had travelled by Royal Train last night, with the Queen said to prefer making long-distance journeys overnight.
The trip meant Meghan had plenty of quality time with her new grandmother-in-law on board ahead of today's outing.
As part of the visit, The Queen officially opened the Mersey Gateway Bridge in Widnes and the Storyhouse cultural centre in Chester.
Mick Noone, who previously worked as an operation director for the council said the Queen asked about how long the bridge project had taken.
He said Meghan described it as a "magnificent bridge".
He said: "She seemed very friendly."
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Later today, the royal pair also watched a performance by a dance company called Fallen Angels, which runs for recovering addicts.
They also enjoyed a medley of songs from the Storyhouse’s latest production A Little Night Music, going on to watch local schoolkids perform songs with actors from Swallows and Amazons.
To finish off the day, the pair enjoyed a slap-up lunch at Chester Town Hall to conclude their outing together.
Security was tight as the pair arrived in Cheshire this morning, with snipers spotted on rooftops.
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Meghan seemed excited to greet the fans who had gathered on the streets - smiling happily as she followed The Queen.
Grange Hill and Brookside creator Phil Redmond and wife Alexis, the High Sheriff of Cheshire, were among those gathered to greet the royals.
Mr Redmond joked he should have asked Meghan if she wanted a part in his soap Hollyoaks.
He said: "I didn't ask her, but there's still lunch yet. She'll have to go through the audition process like everybody else."
Mrs Redmond said: "It's fantastic to have them here and it's a big day for Cheshire."
Royal fans had already flocked to the streets of Cheshire with Union Jack flags in anticipation of seeing the pair.
Birthday girl Abigail Grimes, aged five today, a pupil at Beechwood Primary School in Runcorn, was chosen to present the duchess with a posy of flowers, the royal visitors nodding and thanking the youngster for her gift.
The Queen was given a posy by Jack Jackson, aged 10, from St Michael's Catholic Primary School in Widnes.
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Meghan was treated to a trip on The Royal Train to travel to Cheshire - an honour as it is understood that even Prince Harry and Kate Middleton have not had a ride onboard.
The locomotive was launched in 1842 when Queen Victoria was on the throne and even puts the Orient Express to shame with its stunning smoking room with ornate gold fittings.
Described as “Buckingham Palace on wheels”, the sumptuous train was brought into service because Victoria disliked travelling by coach.
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