Late Queen viewed Meghan 'more mature' than Princess Diana, Kate Middleton

In a surprising departure from royal tradition, the late Queen Elizabeth II welcomed Meghan Markle into the royal fold before her official wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. 

Unlike past royal fiancées, Meghan was invited to spend Christmas with the royal family in December 2017, a gesture usually reserved for spouses or direct family members. 

This early inclusion marked a significant departure, as neither Kate Middleton nor Sophie, Countess of Wessex, had been invited to Sandringham until after their marriages.

Additionally, Meghan made history in March 2018 when she attended the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey alongside senior members of the royal family, including Prince William and Kate Middleton. 

At the time, she was not yet married to Harry, but she was already seated among the top-tier royals. 

This rapid acceptance into the royal spotlight was seen as an indication of the Queen's approval, as she was perceived to view Meghan as a mature and capable individual who was ready to join the royal family right away.

Speaking on the Daily Mail's Reading the Royals, expert Richard Eden suggested the Queen was motivated by three key factors. "I think it was a reference to Meghan's age and maturity, and that she felt she's an established figure," he said. 

"She's an actress - not someone like Princess Diana or Catherine who were younger and less experienced. She really felt that here was someone who was ready to join The Firm immediately." Furthermore, according to Eden, the Queen felt that Meghan - "a divorced, mixed-race American actress – would be a breath of fresh air and a great asset to the Monarchy".

Prince Harry later spoke about Meghan's first Christmas with the royal family - and said it had been a big success. 

He told BBC Radio 4's Today show: " I think together we had an amazing time. We had great fun staying with my brother and sister-in-law and running round with the kids. Christmas was fantastic."

Asked if there were any family traditions that had to be explained to his partner, Harry divulged: "She's done an absolutely amazing job. She's getting in there and it’s the family I suppose that she's never had."