Meghan Markle Curtsies During Christmas Church Visit
Meghan Markle's first Christmas with the royal family was one for the books.
Markle, who is set to marry Prince Harry in May, made her first appearance at the royal family's traditional Christmas Day church service held at held at St. Mary Magdalene Church near Queen Elizabeth's private estate, Sandringham House. And Markle wasted no time learning the royal ways as she was spotted (along with future sister-in-law Kate Middleton) curtsying to Queen Elizabeth outside the service.
In the photo, Markle and Middleton both curtsy with their left foot behind their right while Prince William and Prince Harry bow as a sign of respect to the Queen.
In some ways, Markle was an untraditional guest for the royal Christmas tradition. She is the first royal fiancée in recent history to spend the holiday with the royal family in a request granted specially to Harry by the Queen, People reports. (Kate Middleton spent Christmas away from Prince William when the couple was engaged in 2010). Markle and Harry have departed from royal protocol by showing public signs of affection and meeting privately with the Queen.
The Royal family convened after church for a Christmas celebration that included turkey lunch and watching the Queen's annual Christmas address.
Markle donned a camel wrap coat from Sentaler, Stuart Weitzman boots, the Chloe "Pixie" bag and a light-brown beret fascinator for the occasion, according to People.
Last year, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spent Christmas near Kate's childhood home — where George and Charlotte charmed crowds by sucking on candy canes on their way to church services. This year, Prince George and Princess Charlotte were noticeably absent from the family's Christmas church visit as Prince William and Middleton left them home to enjoy their presents, People reports.
