Meghan Markle will undertake her first public engagement with the Queen this month, Buckingham Palace have announced.
Prince Harry’s fiancée will join the monarch for the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 12th.
Although the 36-year-old actress, who will walk down the aisle with the Queen’s grandson on May 19, joined her for Christmas at Sandringham, it will be the first time she has accompanied her on an official engagement.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend the first annual Royal Foundation Forum held at Aviva on February 28 in London
Meghan Markle (pictured left with Prince Harry and right with the Duchess of Cambridge) will undertake her first public engagement with the Queen this month
Indeed, it will be her first public duty as a member of the wider royal family as service – which will also feature singer Liam Payne – will be attended by other royals including her future in-laws, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The Queen, who is head of the Commonwealth, takes a keen and very personal interest in anything to do with the ‘family of nations’.
Both Harry and Meghan made clear earlier this week when they appeared at a public engagement together that they are looking forward to developing their public role with the Commonwealth.
Prince Harry’s fiancée will join the Queen (pictured) for the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 12th
Although the 36-year-old actress joined Queen for Christmas at Sandringham (left), along with Prince Harry (pictured together right), it will be the first time she has accompanied her on an official engagement
In a statement Buckingham Palace said: ‘Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, accompanied by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle, The Duke of York, The Princess Royal, The Countess of Wessex, The Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra will attend the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on Commonwealth Day, Monday 12th March.
‘Highlights of the Service include a special musical performance by artist Liam Payne and a reflection by Dr Andrew Bastawrous, an eye surgeon who turned a smartphone into an examination tool which works to combat avoidable blindness in developing counties.
‘The Service will be broadcast live on BBC One and across BBC World Service, in celebration of Her Majesty’s lifetime commitment to the Commonwealth. ‘
Later in the evening, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and The Duke of Cambridge will be guests of the Commonwealth Secretary-General at the Reception which traditionally takes place on Commonwealth Day at Marlborough House, the home of the Commonwealth Secretariat.