Meghan Markle Shares Sweet Embrace with Teen: 'I Wanted to Show Her She's Welcome Here'

Meghan Markle Shares Sweet Embrace with Teen: 'I Wanted to Show Her She's Welcome Here'
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Meghan Markle is connecting with supporters.

The Duchess of Sussex, 41, joined her husband Prince Harry and in-laws Prince William and Kate Middleton for a surprise walkabout at Windsor Castle on Saturday, two days after the death of Queen Elizabeth. Touring the deluge of tributes and greeting well-wishers gathered at the gates for about 40 minutes, Meghan warmly hugged a teen girl, who opened up to CNN about what the gesture meant.

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Meghan Duchess of Sussex speaks with well-wishers at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022 in Windsor, England. Crowds have gathered and tributes left at the gates of Windsor Castle to Queen Elizabeth II, who died at Balmoral Castle on 8 September, 2022. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
WINDSOR, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Meghan Duchess of Sussex speaks with well-wishers at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022 in Windsor, England. Crowds have gathered and tributes left at the gates of Windsor Castle to Queen Elizabeth II, who died at Balmoral Castle on 8 September, 2022. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Meghan Markle

"We were just waiting for her to come, and she just came near me and asked my name, and how my day was, how long I as waiting," the 14-year-old girl said of the moment. "I asked if she could have a hug, and she hugged me back. It was just quite an amazing moment. I'm still shaking now."

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Asked by correspondent Scott McLean on why she reached out, the teen said she felt compelled "because I look up to her in some ways, and it just felt like it was the right thing to do."

RELATED: Prince William Invited Harry and Meghan to Join Him and Kate Outside Castle in Major Show of Unity

McLean asked, "Why do you feel a bit of sympathy for her? Just because of the Queen's passing or because of her relationship with the royal family?"

"I guess both. It was quite nice to see William and Kate and Meghan and Harry together," she said. "I just wanted to show her that she's welcome here and wanted to hug her after everything that's happened."

Dressed in black, the foursome spoke with onlookers and toured the emotional tributes left for the late monarch, who died Thursday at age 96.

Kensington Palace says William, 40, invited the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to join him and Kate, 40, who was recently named Princess of Wales, alongside her husband's new Prince of Wales title.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex receives a hug from a wellwisher on the Long walk at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022, two days after the death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96. - King Charles III pledged to follow his mother's example of "lifelong service" in his inaugural address to Britain and the Commonwealth on Friday, after ascending to the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8. (Photo by Kirsty O'Connor / POOL / AFP) (Photo by KIRSTY O'CONNOR/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

KIRSTY O'CONNOR/POOL/AFP via Getty Meghan Markle

RELATED: Queen Elizabeth's Funeral Date and Details Announced by Buckingham Palace

Another source adds that security was not expecting both couples at the walkabout.

Prince William thought the walkabout to greet the crowds "was an important show of unity at an incredibly difficult time for the family," a royal source tells PEOPLE.

A palace insider tells PEOPLE: "It's such an extraordinary historical moment and also a deeply personal one for the family that you'd hope and think that all members of the family would unite and support [the King] especially. And perhaps some of those wounds can be healed in the process."

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet members of the public at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022 in Windsor, England. Crowds have gathered and tributes left at the gates of Windsor Castle to Queen Elizabeth II, who died at Balmoral Castle on 8 September, 2022. (Photo by Kirsty O'Connor - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
WINDSOR, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet members of the public at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022 in Windsor, England. Crowds have gathered and tributes left at the gates of Windsor Castle to Queen Elizabeth II, who died at Balmoral Castle on 8 September, 2022. (Photo by Kirsty O'Connor - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Kirsty O'Connor - WPA Pool/Getty Meghan Markle

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The reunion among William, Kate, Harry and Meghan is poignant, as relations have been strained between the California couple and members of the royal family in recent years.

In a historic first speech after becoming monarch, King Charles III on Friday expressed his "profound sorrow" and gave an emotional tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth.

The Prince and Princess of Wales view the tributes left after the Death of Queen Elizabeth II, at Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire, UK, on the 10th September 2022. 10 Sep 2022 Pictured: The Prince and Princess of Wales view the tributes left after the Death of Queen Elizabeth II, at Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire, UK, on the 10th September 2022. Photo credit: James Whatling / MEGA TheMegaAgency.com +1 888 505 6342

James Whatling / MEGA From left: Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

"This is a time of change for my family," the new sovereign explained in his inaugural address. With Charles' rise in rank, Harry and Meghan's children — Archie, 3, and Lilibet, 1 — are now sixth and seventh in line to the throne, respectively, following their father.

In a sweet message for his younger son and daughter-in-law, King Charles added, "I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas."