MEGHAN Markle ditched Prince Harry for the first time to do a royal engagement - and had a sleepover with the Queen.
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The train was used 14 times in 2017 by the royal family |
The royal pair set off yesterday and spent the night on the luxury Royal Train as they traveled to Cheshire for Thursday morning.
The Queen eased Meghan Markle into her new royal role with the pair traveling by train to Chester to open the Mersey Gateway Bridge and a full day of official duties
The swish Royal Train has nine carriages and Meghan will stay in one of the ensuite bedrooms, and dine in the 12-seater dining room.
This marks the newlywed's first solo royal engagement with the Queen – something Kate Middleton is yet to be offered.
And it will be the first time a non-senior royal has been invited on to the train, again something The Duchess of Cambridge is yet to be invited on.
Meghan and her newest grandmother took the train up north, where they will open the Mersey Gateway Bridge before opening the Storeyhouse Theatre.
The pair will then dine at Chester Town Hall.
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The royals arrive in Chester |
The first engagement Kate Middleton attended alone with the Queen was nearly a year into her marriage to Prince William.
In 2012 they attended Fortnum and Mason together to mark the restaurant’s renovation, although the Duchess of Cornwall was also there, meaning it was not technically a solo event for the Queen and Kate.
Typically a London to Runcorn train journey takes around two hours, but the prestigious sleeper train travels a lot slower than the high-speed alternatives.
The pair has opted for the Royal Train as the Queen is said to prefer making long-distance journeys overnight, instead of waking up early morning.
The locomotive is a comfortable and exclusive method of transportation reserved for select members of the royal family.
It first came into use in 1842 under Queen Victoria – who was the first monarch to ride a train – and is composed of nine carriages.
Only the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, and Camilla are permitted to use the train.
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The Royals were greeted warmly when they arrived in Chester |
Each carriage has a different function, and their order is rearranged as necessary.
It is rare all nine carriages are used at once, only when The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall accompany the Queen on a trip.
The trip is a huge honor for Meghan as it is understood that even Prince Harry and Kate Middleton have not had a ride onboard.
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s aboard the bio-fuel powered Royal TrainIMAGE: GETTY - POOL
The Royal steam train pictured in 1946
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They will head to Chester where they will visit the Storyhouse cultural center |
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The Storyhouse is a library, theatre and cinema and one of the country’s most successful cultural buildings, with one million visits in its first year |
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The train's saloon is the epitome of extravagance with its blue and gold theme |
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The 12-seater dining room was also commissioned by Edward VII |
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Edward and Alexandra wanted this saloon so he could work while she relaxed in the same carriage |
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Edward VII's smoking room is modeled on traditional gentlemen's clubs |
Most of the carriages date back to 1977, when they were used for the Silver Jubilee tours, and are instantly recognizable from the "royal claret" color.
The carriages feature smoking rooms, a 12-seater dining room, and private carriages for each of the royals.
The Queen’s bathroom even has a full-sized tub, and the schedule ensures they do not go around any sharp bends while she relaxes in the suds.
Prince Philip is said to use it as a mobile office, while the nonagenarian is rumored to be a great fan of the train.
But despite its lavish exterior, it is said to be fairly modest inside.
In 2002, Director of royal travel Tim Hewlett was quoted saying: "There is a perception the train is a bit like the Orient Express.
"But there are not many bathroom furnishings you could not get in Homebase or B&Q."
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This carriage was used by Edward VII |
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68 with her beloved corgisIMAGE: GETTY - CONTRIBUTOR
A bed is made in staff accommodations aboard the bio-fuel powered Royal Train
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The first stop on the tour will be opening the Mersey Gateway Bridge in Widnes |
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The Queen with Prince Andrew (right) and Prince Edward (center) in a compartment of the Royal Train before departure from London in December 1965 |
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The Queen sits at her desk on the Royal Train |
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The train was used 14 times in 2017 by the royal family |
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