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PREGNANT Meghan Markle has today gushed she is feeling "very good" as she cradled her baby bump during a visit to the Royal Variety care home.

The Duchess of Sussex glowed as she arrived for the solo visit to Brinsworth House this morning - a day after her father accused her of "ghosting" him.

 Meghan Markle puts her hand on her growing baby bump
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Meghan Markle puts her hand on her growing baby bumpCredit: ©Max Mumby

In her last official engagement before Christmas, the 37-year-old made sure to wrap up in the winter weather, donning a grey £550 Soia and Kyo coat and £830 floral white dress by Brock Collection.

Heading inside, the former actress met with retired artists and entertainers at the residential nursing and care home.

Speaking to one elderly resident, the 37-year-old said she felt "very good", laughing as she touched her baby bump and saying she was "very pregnant today".

And Meghan seemed in high spirits despite her own father yesterday claiming she had "always been very controlling".

Pregnant Meghan Markle puts her hand on her stomach as she arrives at Brinsworth House
 The American appeared to enjoy her festive visit - her last official engagement before Christmas
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The American appeared to enjoy her festive visit - her last official engagement before ChristmasCredit: Geoff Pugh Telegraph Media Group Ltd.
 Meghan said she was feeling good during the visit
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Meghan said she was feeling good during the visit
 The Duchess of Sussex wore a long grey coat over her dress
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The Duchess of Sussex wore a long grey coat over her dressCredit: Rex Features

Thomas Markle, 74, said he had not heard from his daughter since her wedding - but hit back at claims she could have been "rude" to staff in a Good Morning Britain interview.

He said: "The ghosting I don't completely understand - she's always been in charge, that's her nature, but not been rude."

The American, who lives in Mexico, also said he was hoping the Queen would step in to 

Today, Meghan gave no hint she was troubled by her dad's claims - making the most of her time to speak to the elderly residents.

 Meghan spoke to residents as they listened to Christmas carols
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Meghan spoke to residents as they listened to Christmas carols
 The pregnant Duchess delighted residents with the visit
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The pregnant Duchess delighted residents with the visitCredit: Geoff Pugh Telegraph Media Group Ltd.
 The pregnant former actress joined the residents to make Christmas decorations
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The pregnant former actress joined the residents to make Christmas decorationsCredit: Geoff Pugh Telegraph Media Group Ltd.
 Meghan wrote out a Christmas message during the visit, showing off her impressive calligraphy skills
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Meghan wrote out a Christmas message during the visit, showing off her impressive calligraphy skillsCredit: Twitter

And the former star, who gave up her acting career ahead of marrying Prince Harry, also sympathised with retired actress Josephine Gordon when she said she hadn't had kids herself.

During the visit, Meghan asked the elderly woman: "Do you have kids?"

The OAP could be heard saying: "No, I had a career."

Meghan replied: "Yes, that I understand."

The mum-to-be - who once worked in Argentina - also chatted to another resident in Spanish at the home.

During the Duchess' brief visit to Brinsworth House - affectionately known as the Old Pro's Paradise - in Twickenham, south-west London, she joined residents as they took part in festive activities, including arts and crafts and carols around the Christmas tree.

She could be seen shaking hands with residents as one performer sang "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas".

She also chatted briefly to actress Mona Hammond who played Blossom Jackson in EastEnders in the 1990s, as well as 1970s TV star Richard O'Sullivan.

Among famous entertainers who have been cared for at the residential home are Sir Norman Wisdom, Dame Thora Hird and EastEnders actor Leslie Grantham.

 The American said she had previously visited a similar care home in LA
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The American said she had previously visited a similar care home in LACredit: Geoff Pugh Telegraph Media Group Ltd.
 The Duchess made sure to stay warm for the visit
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The Duchess made sure to stay warm for the visitCredit: ©Max Mumby
 The Duchess of Sussex glowed as she headed inside Brinsworth house
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The Duchess of Sussex glowed as she headed inside Brinsworth house

And the duchess - who could be in line to receive one of the Queen's patronages - seemed happy as she arrived for the morning visit, waving as she was greeted by the charity's chairman Giles Cooper.

Mr Cooper said: "The timing of the visit is fantastic as it comes a few weeks after the Royal Variety performance which she attended with Prince Harry.

"And it comes after her wedding, which all the residents here were watching. We had the television on, Union Jack bunting up and a party atmosphere - so it's nice to have the bride here."

He said the Duchess said had decided to visit the home after seeing footage of it at the end of this year's show.

She told Mr Cooper she used to visit a similar home for the elderly in LA, saying "it brought feelings of being amongst your own".

She showed no signs of stress as she headed inside, despite weeks of speculation that she is "difficult" to work with.

Claims have even surfaced this week that Meghan and Prince Harry, 34, had even become known as Chandler and Monica because of the Duchess' controlling behaviour.

 Meghan smiled and waved as she arrived
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Meghan smiled and waved as she arrived
 The Duchess was welcomed with a curtsy
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The Duchess was welcomed with a curtsyCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 The future mum showed off her baby bump, with her first child due in Spring next year
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The future mum showed off her baby bump, with her first child due in Spring next year
 The duchess was glamorous in heels
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The duchess was glamorous in heels

The Friends character, played by Courteney Cox, is famed for being obsessively clean and bossy.

But today, Tom Parker Bowles praised the future mum for being "wonderful", saying she should carry on what she's doing.

The British writer and food critic, who is stepbrothers with Prince William and Prince Harry, could only praise the 37-year-old since she has joined the Royal Family.

It comes amid a raft of rumours about Meghan's behaviour and relationship with other royals - including a rift with sister-in-law Kate Middleton.

Prince Harry and Prince William have reportedly fallen out while Kate was said to have been left in tears over ­Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress for Meghan and Harry’s royal wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in May.

The couple are also set to snub the traditional Christmas shoot after Meghan raised concerns about killing "defenceless animals".


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