The late Queen considered Meghan 'more mature' than Princess Diana and Kate Middleton.

 

In an unexpected break from royal custom, the late Queen Elizabeth II welcomed Meghan Markle into the royal family prior to her formal wedding to Prince Harry in 2018.

Unlike previous royal fiancées, Meghan was asked to spend Christmas with the royal family in December 2017, which is typically reserved for husbands or direct family members.

This early participation was a notable shift, since neither Kate Middleton nor Sophie, Countess of Wessex had been invited to Sandringham until after their nuptials.

Meghan also made history in March 2018 by attending the Commonwealth Day ceremony at Westminster Abbey with senior members of the royal family, including Prince William and Kate Middleton.

She had not yet married Harry, but she was already among the top royals.

This swift rise to the royal limelight was interpreted as evidence of the Queen's approval, since she was considered to regard Meghan as a mature and capable individual who was eager to join the royal family straight away.

Speaking on the Daily Mail's Reading the Royals, expert Richard Eden stated that the Queen was driven by three considerations. "I think it was a reference to Meghan's age and maturity, and that she felt she's an established figure," he was saying.

"She is an actor, unlike Princess Diana or Catherine, who were younger and less experienced. She had a strong impression that this person was eager to begin working for The Firm right away. Furthermore, according to Eden, the Queen believed Meghan - "a divorced, mixed-race American actress - would be a breath of fresh air and a great asset to the monarchy."

Prince Harry later remarked about Meghan's first Christmas with the royal family, claiming it was a huge success.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today show: "I think we had a great time together. We had a terrific time visiting with my brother and sister-in-law and running about with the children. "Christmas was fantastic!"

When asked whether there were any family customs that needed to be explained to his spouse, Harry replied: "She's done an absolutely great job. She's getting in there, and I guess it's the family she's never had."

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