Meghan Markle has faced a year of scrutiny since marrying into the British Royal Family, especially when it comes to how she handles some of the more traditional protocols.
It was Christmas Day 2017 when the American actress performed her first public curtsy, which was later painstakingly dissected by the world’s media. It was dubbed to be a shaky start, as she relied on Prince Harry to tell her when to lower, clutching her Chloe handbag as she did so.
But a year on, on the steps of St Mary Magdalene Church, the now-Duchess showed off the results of a year of royal practice. Her Christmas curtsy this year was confident and deep, leaving her looking every-inch the seasoned royal.
The Royal Family were attending a Christmas service at the Sandringham church, greeting crowds of well-wishers as they went.
-
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive to attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate in King's Lynn, England. Getty -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex speak to well wishers after attending Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate in King's Lynn, England. Getty -
Britain's Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Britain's Sophie, Countess of Wessex arrive with their children Lady Louise Windsor and James Viscount Severn for the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, eastern England. AFP -
Royal fans wait for the arrival of Britain's Royal family to attend the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England. AP -
A policeman stands guard ahead of the Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018 in King's Lynn, England. Getty -
Britain's Queen Elizabeth arrives at St Mary Magdalene's church for the Royal Family's Christmas Day service on the Sandringham estate in eastern England, Reuters -
Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrive for the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, eastern England. AFP -
Britain's Princess Beatrice of York arrives for the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, eastern England. AFP -
Britain's Princess Eugenie of York (L) and her husband Jack Brooksbank arrive for the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, eastern England. -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (R) and Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex greet the crowds after the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, eastern England. AFP -
Queen Elizabeth II leaves after attending Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018 in King's Lynn, England. Getty -
Britain's Kate, Duchess of Cambridge meets members of the crowd after attending the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England. AP
The Duchess of Cambridge was seen walking alongside the pregnant Duchess of Sussex, putting to bed any rumours of a royal rift between the pair. Prince Philip was absent from this year's service, as was Prince Charles's wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
As the Queen noted in her Christmas Day speech, it has been a busy year for the Royal Family with two royal weddings, two babies and another of the way, with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's baby due in the spring.
________________
Read more:
British royal family greet well-wishers at Christmas church service
Five things we learnt from Meghan Markle's new official royal website
Meghan and Harry sent their wedding flowers to two touching places
Britain's royals release their Christmas cards – and they couldn't be more different
________________
