She’s only been a royal for a matter of weeks, but newlywed Meghan Markle is already enjoying the advantages of her position: not only is she about to embark on her first solo royal appearance, she’ll be doing it in true style: aboard the royal train with the Queen.
Available only to Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla, according to Vanity Fair, the royal train cost more than $US1 million to operate in 2016 and 2017, despite only being used 14 times in the past 12 months.
The clincher? Word has it that Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Harry have never been invited on board.
As historical consultant of The Crown, Robert Lacey, told People of Meghan’s invitation: it’s “a really positive sign of favour, encouragement and endorsement by the Queen.”
Designed in 1842 for Queen Victoria, the train is the epitome of luxury: Queen Elizabeth II travels in her own private saloon with bedroom, sitting room and bathroom with its own full-size bath. Better yet, the train slows every morning at 7.30am so as to keep the water still while the Queen takes her bath.
She and Meghan Markle will travel together to Cheshire for their first royal appearance without Prince Harry.
