Meghan Markle Joins the Royal Family for Christmas at Sandringham

Meghan Markle, the fiancé of Prince Harry, has made history by becoming the first fiancé to join the royal family for Christmas at Sandringham.

Huge crowds lined the streets to catch a glimpse of Prince Harry's bride-to-be as she stepped out in an eye-catching brown beret and wrapped up warm against the chilly winter temperatures in a beige coat which she tied up at the front.

The 36-year-old actress proudly displayed her engagement ring that Prince Harry himself designed before their engagement in November.

The couple walked alongside Prince William and Kate Middleton, who wore a tartan coat in a nod to the secret trips she took to Ainstruther in Scotland with her then-fiancé.

This is the first time the two women have been pictured together since Meghan and Prince Harry revealed their impending nuptials to the world last month.

It is understood that Prince Harry and his fiancé will stay with Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge Kate at Emmer Hall, their home in the Sandringham grounds, rather than in the main house.

However, Marcle will have to adjust to the royal family's idiosyncratic ways and customs, ingrained in centuries of tradition.

For instance, the royals exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, and in keeping with German practice, Marcle may have to put up with the tradition of going out shooting on Boxing Day.

Earlier this morning, Prince Philip led the charge with Prince Charles following closely behind.

He walked with his wife Camilla, who wrapped up warm in a scarf to cope with the chilly Christmas Day temperatures.

His other sons Andrew and Edward were accompanied by their sister Princess Anne, who sported a royal purple shawl with a hint of festive red over a deep blue coat.

However, not all of the family were dressed so spectacularly, with Princess Beatrice opting to shun high heels for a pair of dirty trainers, leaving her father the Duke of York looking distinctly unimpressed.

The royal family appeared to be in markedly higher spirits this morning compared to last year when the Queen was forced to miss the service at St Mary Magdalene Church while recovering from a heavy cold.