Meghan Markle has faced a year of scrutiny since <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/official-photos-from-meghan-and-harry-s-wedding-released-1.732633">marrying into the British Royal Family</a>, especially when it comes to how she handles some of the more traditional protocols. It was Christmas Day 2017 when the American actress performed her first public curtsy, which was later painstakingly dissected by the world’s media. It was dubbed to be a shaky start, as she relied on Prince Harry to tell her when to lower, clutching her Chloe handbag as she did so. But a year on, on the steps of St Mary Magdalene Church, the now-Duchess showed off the results of a year of royal practice. Her Christmas curtsy this year was confident and deep, leaving her looking every-inch the seasoned royal. The Royal Family were attending a Christmas service at the Sandringham church, <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/world/europe/british-royal-family-greet-well-wishers-at-christmas-church-service-1.806405">greeting crowds of well-wishers as they went</a>. The Duchess of Cambridge was seen walking alongside the <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/duchess-of-sussex-meghan-markle-is-pregnant-kensington-palace-confirms-1.780655">pregnant Duchess of Sussex</a>, putting to bed any rumours of <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/comment/duel-of-the-duchesses-are-kate-middleton-and-meghan-markle-friends-1.800882">a royal rift between the pair</a>. Prince Philip was absent from this year's service, as was Prince Charles's wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. As the Queen noted in her Christmas Day speech, it has been a busy year for the Royal Family with <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/princess-eugenie-shows-off-back-scar-in-peter-pilotto-wedding-dress-1.780129">two royal weddings</a>, two babies and another of the way, with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's baby due in the spring. ________________ <strong>Read more:</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/five-things-we-learnt-from-meghan-markle-s-new-official-royal-website-1.732862">Five things we learnt from Meghan Markle's new official royal website</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/meghan-and-harry-sent-their-wedding-flowers-to-two-touching-places-1.732617">Meghan and Harry sent their wedding flowers to two touching places</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/britain-s-royals-release-their-christmas-cards-and-they-couldn-t-be-more-different-1.802724">Britain's royals release their Christmas cards – and they couldn't be more different </a></strong> ________________
