Meghan Markle just experienced two huge royal firsts this morning: her first engagement without Prince Harry and her first solo outing with Queen Elizabeth.

For the occasion, Meghan returned to her wedding dress designer Givenchy, wearing a beige pencil dress with cape top. She also sported a pair of pearl earrings, which, according to royal correspondent Emily Nash, are a gift from the Queen! 

The monarch and duchess took the Royal Train overnight (which neither Harry, Wills nor Kate have had the chance to do, FYI) to Cheshire in northwest England for a series of engagements. First on the agenda was a bridge opening, followed by a performance at the Storyhouse theatre in Chester.

And if the photos are any indication—with big smiles and laughter—it seems the two are already BFFs.