When she was preparing to join the royal family, Meghan Markle had a casual first meeting with members of the royal family, but one person she really wanted to meet was missing.
Meghan still had a great first royal family experience though, at her informal tea with Prince Charles and Prince William.
An American girl falling in love with a dashing European prince and becoming a royal is literally the kind of thing that happens in fairytales and romantic comedies. So, when it happened IRL to Meghan Markle, we all just kind of instinctively expected her life to play out like a perfect story. Unfortunately, Meghan's time in the royal family hasn't played out like a fairytale.
Long before she and Prince Harry decided to step back from their duties as a working royals, there were bumps in the proverbial road, apparently. In their best-selling royal biography,Finding Freedom: Harry, Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand revealed that Meghan was faced with a let-down right away, when her future sister-in-law Kate Middleton wasn't there for her first introduction to the royal family.
Meghan's first royal intro was an informal tea with Harry's dad and older brother, Prince Charles and Prince William and Kate just couldn't make it, apparently.
"Meghan was disappointed she didn’t get to meet Kate, who was with the children at Anmer Hall, the couple’s Norfolk estate home near Sandringham," Scobie and Durand wrote, according to Page Six. "But having gotten along so well with Harry’s brother, she didn’t think much more about that. William had made his feelings known to his brother when he shared how happy he was to see Harry smiling."
Of course, Meghan did eventually meet Kate and the women got along just fine. They even bonded over their shared love of tennis and attended matches together at Wimbledon.
Meghan Markle's Most Iconic Fashion Moments
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(Image credit: Karwai Tang)
March 9, 2020
Meghan and Prince Harry attend the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey with all of the royal family. Meghan is wearing a custom Emilia Wickstead dress and carrying a Gabriela Hearst Demi bag; she's also wearing Birks earrings and Aquazzura heels.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrive at Canada House in London for their first 2020 appearance. She is seen wearing a Reiss Coat, Massimo Dutti turtleneck and skirt, and Jimmy Choo Romy pumps.
(Image credit: Chris Jackson)
November 9, 2019
Meghan steps out in a bespoke Erdem dress, her favorite Aquazzura heels, and Jessica McCormack earrings, for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend a panel discussion on gender equality with The Queen's Commonwealth Trust. Meghan is wearing a monochromatic look in a Joseph sweater, a Hugo Boss leather skirt, Sarah Flint pumps, and Emily Mortimer stud earrings.
(Image credit: Samir Hussein)
October 22, 2019
Meghan Markle arrives to the One Young World Summit in an Aritzia dress paired with Manolo Blahnik pumps.
(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo)
October 15, 2019
Meghan Markle recycles her engagement dress to WellChild Awards, a charity for seriously ill children and their families. She pairs her P.A.R.O.S.H. dress with a Sentaler coat and Montunas bag.
(Image credit: Samir Hussein)
October 2, 2019
For a South African engagement to visit the Youth Employment Services in South Africa, the Duchess of Sussex steps out in Hannah Lavery shirt dress, Madewell earrings, and Stuart Weitzman pumps.
Meghan and Archie step out for Archie's first royal engagement during the tour in South Africa. She wore a Club Monaco dress and a pair of Jennifer Meyer turquoise earrings.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit District 6 Museum in Cape Town, South Africa. Meghan wore a Veronica Beard blue button-down dress and Castañer espadrilles.
(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo)
September 12, 2019
The Duchess Of Sussex attends the launch of the Smart Works Capsule Collection, while wearing a Misha Nonoo button-down and wearing butterfly earrings and a cuff that once belonged to Princess Diana.
(Image credit: Mike Marsland)
July 14, 2019
The Duke and Duchess walk the red carpet for the Lion King premiere in London. Meghan wears a Jason Wu dress and Nikos Koulis earrings with a Gucci clutch.
Meghan Markle steps out for her first royal appearance since giving birth. She attends the 2019 Trooping the Colour with Prince Harry in a Givenchy dress and hat by Noelle Stewart.
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive at New Zealand House in London to pay tribute to the victims of the New Zealand terrorist attacks. Meghan wears a vintage black cape, Gucci clutch and Aquazzura black cut-out pumps.
(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo)
March 11, 2019
Meghan wore a Victoria Beckham dress, coat, clutch, and shoes to the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey.
(Image credit: Samir Hussein)
March 11, 2019
The Duke and Duchess Of Sussex attend a Commonwealth Day youth event at Canada House. The Duchess wore a Erdem set, Givenchy clutch, Aquazzura heels, and Birks earrings.
The Duchess Of Sussex wore Dior head to toe and Birks earrings while visiting Morocco.
(Image credit: Yui Mok - PA Images)
February 24, 2019
The Duke and Duchess arrive to the "Education For All" boarding house in Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Meghan wore an Alice and Olivia blazer and Birdies slippers.
(Image credit: Pool/Samir Hussein)
February 23, 2019
The Duke and Duchess Of Sussex visit Morocco. Meghan wore a Valentino dress, a Valentino clutch, and Gianvito Rossi gloves and pumps to meet the Crown Prince of Morocco, Moulay Hassan.
The Duchess of Sussex visits Smart Works wearing Kimai earrings.
(Image credit: Jeff Spicer/BFC)
December 10, 2018
Meghan appears at the Fashion Awards at the Royal Albert Hall. The Duchess wore a Givenchy dress, Tamara Mellon heels, Pippa Small earrings and bangles.
Prince Harry and Meghan visit New Zealand; both are wearing Muck boots.
(Image credit: Pool/Samir Hussein)
October 29, 2018
Harry and Meghan visiting New Zealand during their Autumn tour Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. Meghan opted for Adidas Stan Smith sneakers for this occasion.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their royal tour in Australia. The duchess steps out in a Reformation dress with Sarah Flint sandals.
(Image credit: Chris Jackson)
October 21, 2018
Meghan spotted wearing Veja sneakers during day two the Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia.
(Image credit: Samir Hussein)
October 21, 2018
Meghan Markle attended a reception hosted by the Prime Minister of Australia at The Pavilion Restaurant, wearing White Blazer, Oroton bag, and Aquazzura pumps.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a gala performance of "Hamilton". The Duchess wore Judith & Charles Blazer dress, Paul Andrew pumps, and Shaun Leane earrings.
(Image credit: Chris Jackson)
July 26, 2018
Meghan Markle wore a Carolina Herrera denim wrap dress, Birks earrings, J Crew bag, and Aquazzura pumps to the Sentebale Polo in 2018.
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of professional experience. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
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