Meghan Markle dazzles at The Lion King premiere alongside Harry and Beyonce

Beyonce and Donald Glover star in the updated Disney classic, which will be watched by royalty at the London event today. Sir Elton John, who helped create music for the original film, is among the big names expected to attend the premiere. Meghan Markle looked glamorous as she arrived in Leicester Square, in aid of conservation work through The Royal Foundation.

The former actress, who is on maternity leave following the birth of son Archie, waved at waiting crowds as she arrived with her husband in London’s Leicester Square.

The duchess dazzled in a black dress and heels with her hair swept up in a bun.

The royal couple were joined by an array of stars including Beyonce, her husband Jay-Z, Sir Elton John and Pharrell Williams.

The premiere is being held in “support of the conservation and communities work of His Royal Highness through The Royal Foundation”, Buckingham Palace said.

Meghan, 37, was out and about with Archie and Harry on Wednesday at a charity polo match with the Cambridges.

She also made two trips to Wimbledon and most recently with her sister-in-law Kate, Duchess of Cambridgem to watch her close friend Serena Williams in the women’s final. 

Harry and Meghan will meet some of the cast and crew before watching the film, and afterwards greet representatives from organisations doing groundbreaking work in the areas of conservation and the environment.

Disney has announced its global conservation campaign Protect the Pride to mark the movie’s release.

With conservation partners and the Royal Foundation, the drive aims to raise awareness and support efforts to recover the dwindling lion population across Africa.

Buckingham Palace said: “The Duke of Sussex has taken a deep personal interest in frontline conservation projects that work to protect Africa’s natural heritage and support both wildlife and local communities.”

Harry and Meghan are taking baby Archie to South Africa in the autumn.

The duke is also carrying out solo visits to Angola, Malawi and Botswana.

The Sussexes’ approach to privacy has made headlines after they decided not to reveal details of Archie’s godparents following his private christening, and after a royal protection officer asked a Wimbledon fan, who was photographing Serena Williams, not to take pictures of Meghan.

For the film’s release, Disney announced the Protect The Pride campaign, aimed at raising awareness of dwindling lion numbers.

The Royal Foundation will be involved with and support the campaign.

The film will be released on July 19.