Meghan Markle in first official outing with Queen

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (left) sits beside Prince Charles during a Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 12, 2018. US actress Meghan Markle (2nd from right), fiancee of Britain Prince Harry, sits behind the Queen and the prince. AFP

LONDON, United Kingdom — US actress Meghan Markle took part in her first official event with Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, accompanying her fiance Prince Harry to a service at London’s Westminster Abbey.

Markle arrived at the Commonwealth Day Service with Harry, his elder brother Prince William, the second in line to the throne, and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge.

The service is Britain’s largest annual inter-faith gathering and during the event Markle joined members of the royal family in greeting attendees.

Since announcing their engagement in November, Markle and Harry have made regular public appearances together, but Monday’s service was the first official outing with the queen.

The couple will marry at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19.

In preparation for the ceremony Markle was reportedly baptized last week by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, leader of the Church of England. /cbb