Pregnant Meghan Markle wears hair in top knot as she meets students for second royal engagement in two days

A GLOWING Meghan Markle beamed today as she stepped out for her second royal engagement in two days.

The pregnant Duchess of Sussex cradled her baby bump as she arrived at the Association of Commonwealth Universities, one of her four new patronages.

It's been a busy start to the year for the 37-year-old, with today her sixth engagement in just three weeks.

And she will even head to Bristol tomorrow with Prince Harry, 34, for a seventh engagement to learn about the city's cultural history.

But despite her full schedule, the former actress appeared as happy as ever as she was greeted at the University of London today.

Wearing a black Givenchy coat and pleated dress, Meghan had her hair pulled back in a bun for the visit.

The neat up-do is in contrast to her usual messy bun look that has seen beauty experts seeing a rise in people hoping to mimic the style.

Meghan today received a rock star's welcome as students cheered and waved as the royal got out of the car.

During her tour, she spoke with students and academics across the ACU's network, which helps support more than 500 institutions over 50 Commonwealth countries.

She even spoke to a student, Hilary Harawo, a student in Ghana, over Skype.

Meghan’s passion about education first became clear when she spoke in Fiji about her own experiences in paying her own way.

In the fiery speech, the Duchess of Sussex revealed it was thanks to scholarships and financial aid programs that she was able to attend university, studying theatre and international relations.

After being given her new patronages by the 92-year-old monarch at the start of the year, she has visited each of the charities, as well as joining Prince Harry for two separate engagements.

The former actress yesterday headed to the National Theatre, wearing towering £440 Aquazzura heels.

It's believed the Duchess - who recently revealed she is around six months pregnant - wore the same 'Very Matilde' designer pumps for the debut as she donned during the engagement announcement with Prince Harry in November 2017.

Meghan visited her first patronage, Smart Works, on January 10 this year - even giving fashion tips to those helped by the charity.

Just four days later she headed to Birkenhead with husband Prince Harry, who kept a protective arm around his wife.

It was during this visit that the parents-to-be revealed their baby is due at the end of April or the beginning of May - and that the gender would be a surprise.

Two days later, Meghan was cuddling dogs at the animal charity Mayhew - then joined Prince Harry that night at a Cirque du Soleil performance in a dazzling blue dress.

And the announcement of the patronages earlier this month signalled Meghan's close bond with the Queen, royal experts revealed.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun Online the choices went “hand in glove” with the mum-to-be’s personality and history – and were the biggest nod of approval yet from the Queen after the monarch handed on two of her own patronages.

The commentator said: “That is an undoubted sign of approval from Her Majesty.

“It comes during a period when there have been so many rumours so it’s important to stress that this speaks very much to the Queen’s appreciation of her.”

Speculation was last year rife that Meghan had been involved in a "row" with her sister-in-law Kate Middleton, while sources claimed that she was difficult to work with.

It will be a busy year for Meghan, who is expecting her first child with Prince Harry in the Spring.

The couple, who married in May last year, are also expecting to move to Frogmore Cottage ahead of their baby's arrival.

The Grade-II listed county retreat, set in four acres of rolling Oxfordshire hills, boasts four bedrooms with one converted to a dressing room.