The making of a princess: Meghan Markle's crash course in being a royal

While Kate Middleton had eight years to get ready to join the British royal family, Meghan Markle, whose engagement to Prince Harry was announced a year and a half into their romance, has a timeline that's a bit shorter. As she prepares for her royal wedding on May 19, we've noticed she's also preparing for her royal role! Scroll through for six big steps Meghan has taken as she makes her way toward the altar.THE SIGNATURERoyal protocol dictates that no autographs are allowed – Hollywood actress Meghan made headlines in January 2018 when she wrote 'Hi Kaitlin' to a fan during a walkabout – but signing official guest books during engagements is quite common. Prince Harry and Meghan signed the visitors' book at the Titanic Belfast Maritime Museum in March 2018, inset, and also left their signatures in the Anzac Day Dawn Service book in April.Photo: Joe Giddens - Pool/Getty Images

THE 'DUCHESS SLANT'Although it's not an official royal rule, female royals rarely sit with their legs crossed at the knee. Meghan has been quick to adopt the 'Duchess slant' – keeping her knees and ankles tightly together and slanting her legs to one side – which is named after the Duchess of Cambridge. Kate and Meghan's late mother-in-law Princess Diana was also known for sitting in the same way.Photo: Getty Images

THE AIR KISSBased on Meghan's affectionate gestures to those she meets during her royal engagements, we can guess she is a hugger! But being a royal means a completely new set of rules about PDA. When Prince William and Meghan met at the Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in April 2018, they greeted each other with a traditional air kiss, a public gesture of affection the royals reserve for only their nearest and dearest.Photos: Getty Images

THE CURTSEYWe got a look at Meghan's debut curtsey when she made the gesture of respect to the Queen for the first time after the Christmas Day service at Sandringham in 2017. The former TV star had clearly been practising and executed the perfect curtsey alongside Prince Harry, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge outside the church of St Mary Magdalene. Photo: Getty Images

THE WALKABOUTWhile as an actress on Suits, Meghan is well used to attention, the royal walkabout – that is, the public meet and greets during royal engagements – is a new skill, with its careful set of protocols, that she's had to hone. Here the future royal receives a bouquet of flowers, and a sweet curtsey, from a little girl after attending the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in 2018. Photo: Getty Images

THE HATS!Last but certainly not least, royal life involves wearing many hats – literally! Thankfully, Meghan will have exclusive designs by the world's most sought after milliners, including royal favourites like Philip Treacy and Stephen Jones, at her disposal for every royal outing.Photos: Getty Images