Pregnant Meghan Markle cradles her bump on care home visit after dad accused her of ‘ghosting’

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.

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.

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.

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";.