Queen Elizabeth Gave Meghan Markle Something Special Kate ‘Waited Much Longer’ For

Queen Elizabeth gave Meghan Markle extra special honor that Kate Middleton waited much longer to receive.

According to Michelle Tauber, senior editor of People, there’s something that Her Majesty gave to the Duchess of Sussex that took longer for the Duchess of Cambridge to receive. The royal correspondent was referring to the duchesses’ first solo outing with the Queen.

“Meghan’s first solo appearance with the Queen was a really historic moment. First of all, it happened very early in the marriage to Prince Harry. Kate waited much longer for her first solo appearance with the Queen,” the royal correspondent said. “Second of all, Meghan got an extra special honour, which is the Queen invited her to join her on her private train to travel to Chester.”

Queen Elizabeth II and Markle made their first solo engagement together on June 14 when they visited Chester about 165 miles northwest of London. The Queen officially unveiled a new bridge in Widnes, Cheshire and open the Storyhouse Theatre. The duo then sat down for lunch at Chester’s Town Hall.

Queen Elizabeth II and Markle’s first joint engagement came less than a month since the duchess married Prince Harry. On the other hand, it took almost a year for the Duchess of Cambridge to score a solo royal engagement with the Queen.

Queen Elizabeth II and Middleton made their first joint engagement in March 2012. They visited De Montfort University and made a stop in De Montfort Square en route where they watched a dance performance.

They also watched a student fashion parade at the university. The pair was seen politely chatting and smiling at each other as they waited for the models to come down the catwalk.

It took seven years before the Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge had another solo engagement together. Earlier this year, Queen Elizabeth II and Middleton reunited for the opening of the Bush House, which was previously BBC World Service headquarters.

Over a week ago, Queen Elizabeth II supported Middleton at the unveiling of her the garden she designed at the Chelsea Flower Show. They were joined by Prince William who was also present at the event. The following day, the three royals made another reunion at the Buckingham Palace garden party.