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From Royal Bride to New Mom: Look Back at Meghan Markle's First Year as the Duchess of Sussex!

From Royal Bride to New Mom: Look Back at Meghan Markle's First Year as the Duchess of Sussex!

By Stephanie Petit

May 19, 2019 07:00 AM

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Just married! Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot in a fairy tale ceremony in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018.

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Credit: STEVE PARSONS/AFP/Getty

Their big day including an evening reception, which the newlyweds headed to in style: after an outfit change, they drove off in a blue Jaguar.

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Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty

It wasn't long until fans saw the new royal again. Meghan made her debut as the Duchess of Sussex just three days after her historic wedding to Prince Harry at Buckingham Palace's annual Garden Party, which also served as an early celebration for Prince Charles' 70th birthday.

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Credit: Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images

Another Meghan first! The former actress made her debut on the iconic balcony of Buckingham Palace when she joined the rest of the royal family for Trooping the Colour celebrations in June.

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Credit: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Also in June, Meghan made a special trip with the Queen, accompanying the monarch to Cheshire via the royal train. Even without any other royals around, the two seemed to get on wonderfully!

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Exactly one month after her royal wedding, Meghan looked perfectly polished for her first time attending the Royal Ascot.

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Meghan returned to the Buckingham Palace balcony in July to watch a flypast celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force.

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Credit: Shutterstock

Meghan is no stranger to Wimbledon, but she attended for the first time as a royal alongside her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton – marking the first time the duo stepped out without their husbands.

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Credit: Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Meghan shared the love on her first birthday as a member of the royal family. She spent August 4, her 37th birthday, at the wedding of Harry's close pal Charlie van Straubenzee to Daisy Jenks.

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The Duchess of Sussex joined Prince Harry at one of his most emotional events of the year on Sept. 4: The WellChild Awards, one of the annual highlights of Harry’s public calendar, honors gravely sick children and their caregivers.

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Credit: BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty

Meghan had her two biggest supporters by her side when she hosted an event celebrating the special cookbook she helped create in September. Harry and her mom, Doria Ragland, smiled as Meghan confidently delivered her first speech as a royal – without notes!

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Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty

September was a busy month for the Duchess of Sussex! She also made her first-ever solo outing, attending the opening of a Pacific art exhibit at the Royal Academy of Art.

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Meghan and Harry kicked off their royal tour Down Under with a bang: by announcing they were expecting their first child!

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Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage

Fans saw Meghan cradle her baby bump for the first time during a stop at Australia's famous Bondi Beach.

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Credit: Samir Hussein / WireImage

Meghan gave off an island vibe during her visit to Fiji, where she delivered a speech about the importance of education at the University of the South Pacific.

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Meghan and Harry received a lively welcome to Tonga, being given traditional Tonga garlands to wear during their visit to the Fa’onelua Convention Centre.

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Meghan showed off her sporty side while watching sailers compete in the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney.

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The couple capped off their visit to New Zealand with a romantic stroll through the Redwoods Treewalk Rotorua.

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Credit: Tristan Fewings/BFC/Getty Images

Meghan made a surprise appearance at the British Fashion Awards in December for a special reason: to present her wedding dress designer, Clare Waight Keller, artistic director of Givenchy – with the British Womenswear Designer of the Year award.

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For the second time, Meghan took part in a royal tradition: the walk to church services on Christmas morning!

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Meghan Markle kicked off the new year by announcing her four initial patronages and paying visits to them all. During a stop at animal charity Mayhew, a cute little dog named Minnie stol her heart.

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The mom-to-be made a special trip to New York City in February, where some of her closest friends – including Serena Williams and Jessica Mulroney – threw her a baby shower.

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Credit: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images

Before welcoming their first child, Meghan and Harry went on one last royal tour. In Morocco, she received a traditional Henna tattoo for "good luck."

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Credit: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images

To celebrate International Women's Day in March, Meghan participated in a panel to empower young women.

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Credit: Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock

In one of her last appearances before taking maternity leave, Meghan and Harry headed to Commonwealth Day services at Westminster Abbey along with other members of the royal family.

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Credit: Press Association via AP

Introducing Archie! Meghan gave birth to her son on May 6 and introduced him to the world alongside Prince Harry two days later.

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