Her Majesty and Prince Philip shared a meal with Michael and Carole Middleton ? in what is thought to have been their first meeting ? at Windsor Castle.
Kate's parents, self-made millionaires thanks to their mail order business, enjoyed a "warm atmosphere" at the meal, according to Royal sources.
It is thought the lunch was a long-standing engagement in the diary of both the monarch and Kate's parents.
Also present were a small number of members of the Royal Household, thought to be private secretaries.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman confirmed the meeting, saying: "The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh hosted Mr and Mrs Michael Middleton at a private lunch at Windsor Castle today."
