Meghan Markle To Attend First Royal Event With Queen Elizabeth II On March 12
Soon-to-be royal Meghan Markle books her biggest appearance with Queen Elizabeth yet, with her attendance at the Commonwealth Service in Westminster Abbey on March 12.
Markle will be part of the royal congregation at the special church service, the palace announced on Friday, March 2.
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 & Princess Alexandra are all due to attend alongside Her Majesty. — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 2, 2018
Commonwealth Day Festivities
The Commonwealth Day celebration is the bride-to-be's first official event alongside the Queen. Among the other royal families attendees are her future father-in-law Prince Charles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton.
The Duke of Edinburgh is not planning to attend the service, having retired from public duties in 2017.
According to People, Markle will join Harry, William, and Kate in the square at the rear of the Abbey to meet and spend some time with the school children. After, the foursome will attend the event's reception together.
The event will also feature a performance by Liam Payne, former One Direction member as well as a reflection by renowned eye surgeon Dr. Andrew Bastawrous who created a way to use the smartphone as an examination device that can help prevent blindness in developing communities.
The Queen is recognized as the head of the Commonwealth, which includes 53 countries and over 2 billion citizens. The service held at the Westminster Abbey is known as the biggest inter-faith gathering held annually in the United Kingdom.
With the wedding day on May 19 getting closer and closer, the bride-to-be is being seamlessly integrated into the family. Many believe that Prince Harry and Markle will play a big role in a Commonwealth organization after the actress highlighted their commitment in several interviews and events following their engagement.
The Public Gets A Royal Invitation
It's arguably the most coveted wedding invitation of the year and while the VIPs will be arriving in hordes, the prince and his bride are also welcoming a larger audience to their big day.
The Kensington Palace released a statement saying the couple is inviting members of the public to their nuptials. A report from ABC noted that on top of the 800 private guests who will be inside St. George's Chapel for the ceremony, 2,640 people from all walks of life will be watching from the grounds of Windsor Castle.
"Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have said they want their wedding day to be shaped so as to allow members of the public to feel part of the celebrations too," the Kensington Palace says in an official statement on Twitter.
Among the public delegation are 1,200 nominees by regional Lord Lieutenant offices, 200 charity representatives, 100 local students, 610 Windsor Castle community members and residents, and 530 members of the royal households.
