AceShowbiz - Meghan, Duchess Of Sussex has started her royal duties by accompanying Queen Elizabeth II in her first public engagements.

The former "Suits" star officially joined the royal family when she married Prince Harry in May, but was without her husband when she joined her grandmother-in-law on a trip to Chester in the U.K. on Thursday, Jun 14. The pair travelled up to the northwestern city by royal train, and were welcomed by local dignitaries and a large group of schoolchildren when they stepped onto the platform at Runcorn station.

Though the 36-year-old has been praised for the poise and confidence she's shown in her new role, she appeared to be unsure of appropriate royal protocol when she and the Queen prepared to get into the car that awaited them.

"What is your preference?" the former actress asked Her Majesty, to which she replied: "You go first."

Meghan was styled in a beige belted dress by Givenchy, the fashion house also responsible for her iconic bridal gown, while the Queen sported a more colourful outfit in the form of a green suit dress by Stewart Parvin accessorised with a matching hat by Rachel Trevor Morgan.

The first stop was the Mersey Gateway Bridge, where the Duchess and the Queen met architects, planners and community representatives, and enjoyed a performance by local school children before the monarch formally opened the bridge.

Both appeared to engage in pleasant conversation, and the 92-year-old smiled and laughed throughout proceedings.

According to the Queen's former press secretary Charles Anson, excursions such as this are the perfect way for new royals to learn on the job.

"It is the way of the royal family - all part of the training and getting used to being in public life and under public scrutiny," he told People magazine. "Showing people the ropes is a high priority for the Queen."