Meghan Markle spends first royal Christmas lunch at palace

On Wednesday, Meghan Markle attended a royal Christmas celebration with her fiancé, Prince Harry, at Buckingham Palace.

The two were spotted driving to the event together for the pre-Christmas luncheon at the palace. It’s a traditional event where Queen Elizabeth II hosts her family before heading off to her private estate in Norfolk for the holidays.

For Markle, it’s her first Christmas with her soon-to-be in-laws.

Markle and Prince Harry are set to be married on May 19, 2018, at St. George’s Chapel in London’s Windsor Castle.

A Royal Engagement

On Nov. 27, the couple announced their engagement.

“His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle,” read a statement released by the royal residence.

“Prince Harry has informed Her Majesty the Queen and other close members of his family. Prince Harry has also sought and received the blessing of Ms. Markle’s parents.”

“We are incredibly happy for Meghan and Harry,” Markle’s parents told the Telegraph of the royal engagement. “Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person. To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for us as parents.”

Prince William and Kate Middleton also sent their love to the new couple, saying, “We are very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together.”

Even Prime Minister Theresa May sent her regards, saying, “This is a time of huge celebration for two people in love and, on behalf of myself, the Government and the country, I wish them great happiness for the future.”

They had been dating for more than a year by that point, even if they had tried to keep the relationship quiet in its early stages.