Prince Harry was accompanied by his glamorous fiancée Meghan Markle as he swept up to the gates after joining her future in-laws for the Queen's traditional Christmas lunch

Today was the first time that Meghan will have met much of Harry's family, and the invitation is a further sign that she is well and truly part of the royal establishment

Royal bride-to-be Meghan Markle gave onlookers a cheeky flash of her diamond engagement ring today (right) as she and Prince Harry (couple are seen left) left Buckingham Palace after the Queen's annual Christmas lunch. A cherished tradition, the meal provides the monarch with the opportunity to catch up with those relatives who don't join her at Sandringham in Norfolk on December 25th, as well as close family members. Glowing Meghan and Harry arrived just behind the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children (inset left), with Prince William driving, pregnant Kate (bottom row, left) in the passenger seat, and Prince George (second from left) and Princess Charlotte in the back with their nanny. Also snapped at the get-together were the Duchess of Cornwall (third from left), who arrived with husband Prince Charles, Princess Beatrice (third from right) and her sister Princess Eugenie (second from right), and fashion muse Lady Amelia Windsor (far right). Today's lunch was the first in a whirlwind series of events that will make up Meghan's first royal Christmas, after the Queen took the unusual step of inviting her to join her at Sandringham over Christmas, even though she will not be an official member of the family until she and Harry wed in May.

Bride-to-be Meghan flashed her dazzling engagement ring from the front seat of Prince Harry's Land Rover as she left the Queen's annual Christmas lunch

Following shortly behind were the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with a sleepy looking Princess Charlotte in the back

Cheerful Kate gave a wave to crowds who had lined the streets outside Buckingham Palace in a hope to catch a glimpse of the royals on their departure