Prince Harry and fiance Meghan Markle leave the Endeavour Fund Awards ceremony. Photo / Getty Images
Prince Harry and fiance Meghan Markle leave the Endeavour Fund Awards ceremony. Photo / Getty Images
Royal fiancée Meghan Markle turned on the glamour at her first awards ceremony with husband-to-be Prince Harry.
The 36-year-old actress sported a "rockier" take on a man's tuxedo and a crisp white shirt with a bow by Tuxe and vertiginous black heels as she attended the Endeavour Fund Awards in the City of London with the prince, reported the Daily Mail.
Meghan's Alexander McQueen-designed suit cost £1,245 ($2400) for the grain de poudre wool, satin-lined blazer and £575 ($1110) for the matching trousers.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Endeavour Fund Awards in London. Photo / Getty Images
The suit is billed as having "sharp peaked lapels, structured shoulders and angular flap pockets that draw attention to the smallest part of your frame".
Since they announced their engagement at the end of November, Harry and Meghan, who will marry at Windsor Castle on May 19, have embarked on a number of royal engagements designed to introduce Los Angeles-born Miss Markle, 36, to royal life.
Taking in London, Nottingham and Cardiff, the American has won over the crowds with her easy charm and innate sense of style.
The event at the historic Goldsmiths' Hall in the City of London saw couple attend the annual Endeavour Fund Awards to celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have taken part in remarkable sporting and adventure challenges over the last year.
Harry and his bride-to-be were greeted at Goldsmiths' Hall, in the City of London, by General Sir Nick Carter, the Army's Chief of General Staff, the Royal Foundation's chief executive, Lorraine Heggessey, and David Wiseman, head of armed forces for the foundation.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Endeavour Fund Awards in London. Photo / Getty Images
Supported by The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry – which Miss Markle will add her name to after her marriage - the Endeavour Fund supports the ambitions of men and women to use challenges such as scuba diving, mountain climbing and dog sledging to help with their physical, psychological and social recovery and rehabilitation.
At a pre-ceremony reception, they met the inspiring nominees, as well as other Endeavour participants and key supporters of the fund.
Miss Markle told one, Cornelia Oosthuizen, an army officer whose involvement in competitive sport was curtailed by illness but has since gone on to compete at Harry's Invictus Games: "Wow that's amazing."
The couple also chatted at length with Joanna Worsley, widow of Henry Worsley, who tragically lost his life in January 2016 whilst attempting to cross the Antarctic landmass, solo and unsupported.
Henry, a career soldier and an experienced polar adventurer, undertook his incredible expedition in order to raise money for the Endeavour Fund and was just 30 miles from the finish when he lost his life.
The couple's son, Max, said his mother had met Harry and his bride-to-be a few weeks ago when they met to decide the winner of an award in his name and memory.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Endeavour Fund Awards in London. Photo / Getty Images
He said: "Mum liked her very much and said she had said how delighted she was to be involved with tonight's event.
"Prince Harry has been incredibly supportive since my father passed away. I know he would be delighted to see what he has inspired and hopefully, through this award, will go on to inspire."
Unusually, since she isn't yet a member of the Royal Family, Meghan introduced and handed out the second award of the night, to the winner of "celebrating excellence".
Unfortunately, she and her co-presenter were unable to find the list of nominees on stage, leaving her giggling - much to the amusement of the audience and Harry.
Meghan Markle presents an award at the Endeavour Fund Awards in London. Photo / Getty Images
Meghan presented her award to Daniel Claricoates, who acquired complex PTSD after multiple tours of Afghanistan with 42 Commando and 3 Commando Brigade Reconnaissance Troop during which he was awarded the Military Cross.
Despite the fact that his PTSD "is probably the toughest we've seen", according to colleagues, he has climbed to the summits of the highest mountains in Africa and Antarctica, Kilimanjaro and Vinson. He now works with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
The Endeavour Fund plays an important role in ensuring that more servicemen and women have the opportunity to rediscover their self-belief and fighting spirit through physical challenges.
It aims to target those that are hard to reach and to support activities that contribute to the participants' recovery – either through mentorship, qualifications or work opportunities.
Since its launch in 2012, it has supported 66 different projects that have directly assisted over 2,265 individuals. Through their own fundraising, the participants have also collectively raised over £2.5 million for other forces charities.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrive on the red carpet. Photo / Getty Images
