Meghan Markle consoles Sophie of Wessex after she's ATTACKED by bug during Royal Ascot
MEGHAN MARKLE consoled Sophie of Wessex after she was struck by a bug as the pair enjoyed the procession to the royal enclosure during the opening day of Royal Ascot 2018.
Meghan Markle and Sophie Wessex shared their carriage with their respective husbands as they arrived at Royal Ascot 2018.
The Countess of Wessex and the newly-minted Duchess of Sussex were seen chatting amiably before the bug appeared to fly too close to Sophie's ear, making her flinch.
Meghan can be seen trying to reassure the Countess with a hand on her shoulder, seemingly asking whether she is ok.
But Sophie appeared to recover quickly as she soon laughed the incident off with her nephew Prince Harry and his new wife.
TWITTER/Ascot Racecourse
Meghan looked stunning as she made her Ascot debut in a flamboyant black and white hat
The beaming Duchess and Prince Harry received a rapturous welcome from Royal Ascot when they joined the Queen for a spectacular carriage procession, which signals the start of the five-day event in Berkshire.
Just four weeks after marrying, Harry and Meghan enjoyed the sights and sounds of a quintessential English summer event – a day at the races.
The Duchess looked stunning in a stylish monochrome outfit by her favourite designer, Givenchy, teamed with a Philip Treacy hat.
Thousands of racegoers cheered and applauded from the stands as the Queen's carriage led the procession down the course.
Leading Royal expert James Brookes suggested the Duchess of Sussex’s trip with Her Majesty to Cheshire showed the Royal pair “get along well” and Elizabeth II looked “genuinely happy to have some company”.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Mr Brookes said: “The images of them both in Cheshire speak for themselves.
“The Queen looked incredibly at ease and genuinely happy to have some company on an engagement again.
“Although The Queen’s sense of duty trumps all, we have to remember that it will no doubt feel a bit lonely for her, now that Prince Philip’s retired.
He went on: “There’s no denying that Meghan being invited onboard the Royal train is a big step, especially given the speed at which it’s happened after the wedding.
"By inviting her onboard the train, the Queen had the opportunity to speak at length to Meghan, in a private setting.
“Her Majesty knows that Royal engagements are a completely different beast and will be very new and surreal to Meghan.