Meghan Markle has certainly been getting into the Christmas spirit with not one but two royal Christmas parties this week. Newly engaged Meghan reportedly traveled to LA for a flying visit last week to see her mother Doria Ragland and then returned to London to spend time with the Royal family. On Monday night, much to the surprise of those in attendance, Prince Harry arrived at the Royal Household Christmas Party hosted by the Lord Chamberlain at Windsor Castle with his fiancée. This is another significant milestone for Meghan as the annual event was attended by the Queen who was escorted by Prince Andrew. The Duke of Gloucester and Duke of Kent were also present.
'Step by elegant step, Meghan Markle is transforming the Royal Family. It is the manner in which Meghan is being fast-tracked into royal life long before her wedding that is so startling. For I can reveal that earlier this week the American actress had another unusual starring role — accompanying Harry and the Queen to the Royal Household Christmas party hosted by the Lord Chamberlain at Windsor Castle.
In a more intimate re-run of her first engagement, at Harry’s side in Nottingham earlier this month, Meghan plunged into a sea of welcoming faces gathered in the castle’s great reception rooms. This time they were footmen, housemaids, butlers and pages, the domestic staff and gardeners who keep Buckingham Palace and the other royal residences ticking over. While the Queen, escorted by Prince Andrew and her cousins the Dukes of Gloucester and Kent, was greeted with affection, all eyes inevitably were on the smiling figure of Meghan.
At the party, the formality was kept to a minimum with handshakes rather than curtsies. ‘She asked everyone she met their names and what they did,’ one guest told me. ‘It was very natural.'
The party was held in a set of rooms, including the Waterloo Chamber, St George’s Hall and the Grand Reception Room where Harry and Meghan's wedding reception will take place next May. Certainly, wedding planning was at the forefront of Meghan's mind, and she revealed she and Harry spent part of last weekend at Windsor looking over the State Rooms as they make preparations for the big day.
We may not have photos of Harry and Meghan but we do have images of Windsor Castle decorated for the festivities; they were released earlier this month. Take a look at the majestic tree in St George's hall.
Country Living reports: "One tradition which continues to take centre stage is the Christmas tree, which was "born" at Windsor. We know there were trees used before Victoria and Albert by Queen Charlotte, but it was Prince Albert in the 1840s who introduced the idea of the Christmas tree as we know today and they popularised it by giving trees to local schools and barracks. Each year, an 'absolutely enormous' Nordmann Fir goes on display in St George's Hall. It's grown on the nearby Windsor Estate and this year, it has been decorated entirely in gold. Embellishments include miniature crowns, pine cone ornaments and twinkling fairy lights, finished with an angel sitting on the top of the tree."
Decorations at Windsor.
Take a peek inside at the tree going up. It took thirteen hours. Such a beautiful backdrop for a Christmas party.
Richard Kay continued:
'Her presence was a surprise to staff, who laughed when the Lord Chamberlain, Earl Peel, said in his address with masterful understatement that next year would be a busy one. He didn’t have to mention the royal wedding. But it is the breath-taking speed with which the star of the TV show Suits is being absorbed into the royal world, while still not a royal, that has amazed even the most up-to-date courtiers.'
Guests enjoyed Mumm champagne or Sandringham apple juice. Apparently Meghan didn't drink.
Hello! reports: "Harry and Meghan spent about an hour at the party and they were really friendly and went around talking to everyone. Meghan was very sweet and so beautiful." Mail Online's Rebecca English said: "One person who met her told me that she was 'charm personified'. "She held out her hand & said 'Hi, I'm Meghan'. She was unbelievably beautiful and Harry looked so proud."
Meghan wore an elegant burgundy lace dress for the evening. A great colour for a seasonal party. Naturally since we don't have photos, I did a quick search for 'burgundy lace dresses' (as you do of an evening). The Lela Rose dress below came up initially and would have been a great choice. Meghan is a fan of the designer and is seen wearing one of her gowns in the photo above. The corded lace Jonathan Simkhai dress looks 'very Meghan'.
On Wednesday evening, Meghan joined Harry and William and Kate for the annual Kensington Palace staff party. According to the Mail Online, the couple were there for a short time before leaving early. I think it's very important for Meghan to get to know the KP staff and those behind the scenes who play important roles in the day to day running of the place. She will be an important part of the royal quarter at the Palace. At the staff party next year, Meghan will be an established member of the Royal family with her own private secretary in attendance. William and Kate were photographed departing, but no photos of Harry and Meghan have emerged.
The party was held at Rococo-style bar and vaulted Modern European cellar restaurant Beach Blanket Babylon in Notting Hill. The party of sixty enjoyed champagne, caviar, traditional Christmas favourites such as corn fed duck and Christmas pudding.
It's wonderful to see Meghan attending family events and getting to know those in the Royal households. It very much sounds like Her Majesty has warmly welcomed Meghan into the family and by all accounts she was a hit with everyone she met.