Meghan Markle joins Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at first joint royal engagement together

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have appeared with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at an official event [Photo: Getty]
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have appeared with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at an official event [Photo: Getty]

Meghan Markle has just made her official royal working debut alongside fiance Prince Harry and future in-laws the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The foursome were making an appearance at the first ever Royal Foundation Forum, which is set to become an annual event.

The ‘fab four’ – as they are now being dubbed – braved the London snow to arrive at the Aviva offices at St Helen’s.

Dressed in a vivid blue dress from maternity brand Seraphine, which cost a reasonable £99, the pregnant Duchess showcased her growing baby bump in the empire line cut.

Meghan kept it simple in a ruffle, navy cross-over dress with silk trim from Jason Wu, which is available to buy from Net-a-Porter (if you happen to have £1,415 lying around that is).

Both women opted to leave their glossy locks long and loose.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were at the first annual Royal Foundation Forum [Photo: Getty]
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were at the first annual Royal Foundation Forum [Photo: Getty]

The theme of the event is ‘Making A Difference Together’ and will bring together people from all of The Royal Foundation’s charitable programmes, including Heads Together, United For Wildlife, We Are Invictus, We Are Coach Core and the Endeavour Fund.

“Today, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle will attend the inaugural Royal Foundation Forum, which is focused on ‘Making a Difference Together’,” an announcement on the Kensington Palace Twitter account revealed earlier.

Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle will attend the inaugural Royal Foundation Forum, which is focused on ‘Making a Difference Together’. pic.twitter.com/qM9iwnHmfb

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) February 28, 2018

As the two couples took their places on stage, Prince William began the proceedings by officially welcoming Meghan Markle into the royal family. Addressing the audience at the The Royal Foundation’s inaugural Forum, the Duke of Cambridge said: “We’re particularly happy that it’s our first Royal Foundation Forum with Meghan.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have appeared with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at an official event [Photo: Getty]
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have appeared with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at an official event [Photo: Getty]

The young royals are set to discuss why The Royal Foundation was set up, the projects they are currently working on, as well as setting out their future plans as part of the first annual Royal Foundation Forum.

Continuing his opening statement, Prince William explained how the Royal Foundation was created to become the leading convening force in the charity sector.

“When we work together, we are greater than the sum of our parts,” he said.

While his soon-to-be sister-in-law Meghan, 36, told the audience: “I’m very excited to work with the Royal Foundation which will have an impact globally.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have appeared with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at an official event [Photo: Getty]
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have appeared with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at an official event [Photo: Getty]

The Duchess of Cambridge, who is pregnant with her third child, told the audience in London that she had learnt that there were so many underlying causes to mental health problems.

She said: “I felt so passionately about, all three of us felt we could make a far bigger impact.

“We all had very different areas we were working with, and being able to come together to find some common ground and draw ideas together was exciting.”

The Royal Foundation was set up by The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry as the main vehicle to pursue their charitable interests.

Meghan Markle was welcomed by Prince William at their first joint engagement [Photo: Getty]
Meghan Markle was welcomed by Prince William at their first joint engagement [Photo: Getty]

The Duchess of Cambridge became a Patron in 2011, and Ms. Markle will formally become the fourth patron of The Royal Foundation following her wedding to Harry on May 19.

It is believed that Harry and Meghan are keen to focus on issues around youth violence in the UK following a visit to Brixton radio station Reprezent, set up in 2008 following a rise in knife crime.

They have also met mentors from the Full Effect project in Nottingham who work with young people to prevent them joining gangs.

Meanwhile the Duke and Duchess are expected to focus on mental health issues, which has always been a key priority for the couple.

Earlier this year the Duchess helped launch a new website to help children access better mental health support in school.

Mentally Healthy Schools is the latest initiative from the Heads Together campaign launched by the Duchess alongside her husband Prince William and Prince Harry, which aims to highlight gaps in mental health provisions.

Today’s forum was hosted by BBC presenter and Radio 1 newsreader Tina Daheley and the audience made up of invited guests, supporters of The Royal Foundation, programme partners and beneficiaries.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.

Read more from Yahoo Style UK:

Duchess of Cambridge wears green Dolce and Gabbana coat to meet well-wishers in Sunderland

How Meghan Markle is switching up the royal fashion game

Duchess of Cambridge accepts new work role, shows off growing bump in a Jenny Packham bespoke coat