DID THEY MEG UP?
Meghan Markle still smiling after showdown Christmas lunch with Kate Middleton after rift rumours
MEGHAN Markle today smiled as she left the Royal Family's annual Christmas lunch after her first formal engagement with Kate Middleton since rumours of a rift between the pair.
The pregnant Duchess of Sussex seemed relaxed as she was driven from Buckingham Palace by husband Prince Harry after the festive meal with the Queen.
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The Duchess of Cambridge, 36, was also at the lunch, having arrived with Prince William, 36, and their two eldest children Harry, five, and Charlotte, three.
But neither Duchess appeared to be stressed ahead of the lunch, both beaming as they arrived.
Reports have suggested the pair have previously been involved in a "ghastly row", with the Duchess of Cambridge, 36, reduced to tears during Meghan's wedding preparations.
But despite speculation of tensions between the duchesses, the royals descended on Buckingham Palace this afternoon for the festive celebrations.
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Kate Middleton, wearing drop pearl earrings and a pink blouse, even gave a wave to photographers as Prince William, 36, drove into the palace grounds.
Five-year-old George was seen perched in the car with little sister Charlotte, three, his parents, and nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.
Prince Charles, 70, was also see driving into the palace, but was without wife Camilla.
Clarence House confirmed the Duchess of Cornwall had been forced to miss the lunch as she has a heavy cold.
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Meghan was seen wearing dazzling studs and what appeared to be a high neck black blouse.
Today's annual lunch gives the members of the Royal family not invited to Sandringham Estate for Christmas Day a chance to spend time with the Queen.
Extended members of the Firm were seen arriving at Buckingham Palace this afternoon - including Prince Philip, 97.
It's one of the rare times that the elderly royal has been seen, recently retiring from public life.
Sophie Countess of Wessex drove herself to the lunch today, accompanied with daughter Lady Louise, as well as Prince Andrew, 58 and Princess Anne, 68.
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Also spotted arriving at the palace gates were the Princess Royal's husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Autumn Phillips, the wife of the Queen's grandson Peter Phillips, and Mike and Zara Tindall.
Princess Beatrice was also seen, with her sister Princess Eugenie and Eugenie's new husband Jack Brooksbank not pictured arriving.
Despite it being barely a week until Christmas, the royals have continued with their official duties, with the pregnant Meghan Markle yesterday completing her final engagement before Christmas.
The Duchess of Sussex glowed as she arrived for the solo visit to Brinsworth House yesterday morning - a day after her father accused her of "ghosting"; him.
Members of the royal family will again gather at Sandringham House in Norfolk for December 25 to continue their Christmas celebrations.
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The Queen heads up early on December 19 or 20 and the family join her on Christmas Eve.
Darren McGrady, the former chef to Queen Elizabeth II, and Princes William and Harry, revealed details of what Christmas was like for the Royals.
He said: “The Royals are of German descent so they weave in German traditions to their celebrations.
“After afternoon tea, they open gifts on Christmas Eve, as is the German tradition.
"Christmas morning, the family eats a hardy breakfast before heading off to church.
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“After church, that's when they have a big lunch."
After everyone has finished tucking into their food, the Royal Family gathers to watch the Queen’s Christmas speech.
Meghan Markle finds royal life ‘very difficult’ and cannot settle for the alien British world, royal author Penny Junor claims
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