Meghan Markle has arrived for her first official royal event with the
Queen to mark Commonwealth Day. Queen Elizabeth will become Meghan's grandmother-in-law when she marries
Prince Harry. The former US actress is also joined by Prince Harry and her future royal-in-laws, Prince Charles and Camilla at the service to mark Commonwealth Day.
Meghan Markle stunned in an off-white coat and hat as she entered the Westminster with Prince Harry for the Commonwealth Day service.
For her first official royal engagement with the Queen, Meghan wore a dark dress contrasting with light coloured coat by Amanda Wakeley and hat by Stephen Jones, while her Majesty arrived in a plum Angela Kelly coat and hat, and matching floral dress.
Prince William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge joined Meghan and Harry as they shook hands with church officials.
Meghan and the Duchess were all smiles as Kate showed off her blooming baby bump in a dress and coat by Beulah and hat by Lock and Co.
The Queen was traditionally last to arrived but Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was noticeably not by her side as he has effectively retired from public duties.
Meghan, who was recently baptised into the Church of England, sat between Prince Harry and Prince Andrew as the Commonwealth Day service started with the Lord's Prayer from the Archbishop of Canterbury.
A traditional Maori song, ‘The Call for Welcome’ was then performed for the Queen and the Royal Family by London’s Maori Choir, on behalf of the indigenous people of New Zealand.
Meghan and Harry sat behind the Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla as Prime Minister Theresa May read a passage from the Bible before Liam Payne, formerly of the boyband One Direction performed 'Waiting on the World to Change'.
In her Commonwealth Day message, which featured in the service, the Queen praised the "Commonwealth connection" that allows people from different nations to bond and celebrate "diversity".
London will soon host a gathering of leaders from the "family of nations" and the monarch also paid tribute to the biennial event, an example of how consensus can "help to create a future that is fairer, more secure, more prosperous and sustainable".
The Queen's Commonwealth Day message was published in the service pamphlet, which said: “We all have reason to give thanks for the numerous ways in which our lives are enriched when we learn from others.
"Through exchanging ideas, and seeing life from other perspectives, we grow in understanding and work more collaboratively towards a common future.
"There is a very special value in the insights we gain through the Commonwealth connection; shared inheritances help us overcome difference so that diversity is a cause for celebration rather than division.
"We shall see this in action at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which takes place in the United Kingdom next month, bringing together young people, business and civil society from across the Commonwealth.
"These gatherings are themselves fine examples of how consensus and commitment can help to create a future that is fairer, more secure, more prosperous and sustainable."
Meghan and the Queen joined guests at the service singing the John Hughes hymn ‘Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer’ as procession of flags from the Commonwealth nations went through the centre of Westminster Abbey, bring the event to a close with a blessing from the Archbishop.
Dr Andrew Bastawrous, an eye surgeon who has turned a smartphone into an examination tool to combat avoidable blindness in developing counties, gave the tradtional reflection.
Following the service Meghan spoke with schoolchildren outside the Abbey, while the Queen met with those who had performed during the event.
Harry, 33 and Meghan Markle, 36, have already signalled their commitment to the Commonwealth and its people when they both mentioned the institution - which has the Queen as its head - during an interview to mark their engagement.
The Prince said they looked forward to travelling around the Commonwealth, meeting some of the 2.4 billion people from the 53 member states.
Organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Commonwealth service is the largest annual inter-faith gathering in the UK and will be broadcast live by the BBC.
After the service, William, Kate, Harry and Meghan will attend a private reception for those involved in the event.
Other royal guests include the Princess Royal, Countess of Wessex, the Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra.
Also among the 2,000 strong congregation was also the prime minister of Malta Joseph Muscat, Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Scotland, high commissioners, ambassadors, senior politicians from across the UK and Commonwealth, faith leaders and more than 800 schoolchildren and young people.
The Commonwealth has played an important role throughout the Queen's reign, and she takes a special interest in the family of nations.
In her Commonwealth Day message, the Queen added: “The excitement and positive potential of friendly rivalry will be on display will be on display next month as we enjoy the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia.
“Voluntary effort by people working as individuals in groups or through larger associations, is so often what shapes the Commonwealth and all our communities.”
The theme for this year's service was Towards a Common Future, emphasising how the Commonwealth can address global challenges and work to create a better future for all citizens through the sub-themes of sustainability, safety, prosperity and fairness.
Later this evening Charles, Camilla and William will be guests of Baroness Scotland at a reception at Marlborough House, the home of the Commonwealth Secretariat, the institution's civil service.