The Duchess of Sussex has arrived for her first solo engagement – looking every inch a modern royal.

The event is a milestone in Meghan’s life as a member of the monarchy, as she has ventured out without the support of Harry or other royals.

The 37-year-old former actress – wearing a Givenchy outfit – joined guests at the opening of an exhibition of works from the Oceania region at the Royal Academy of Arts in central London.

The Duchess of Sussex
Meghan wore Givenchy on her first solo royal outing (Yui Mok/PA)

The exhibition celebrates the art of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, encompassing the vast Pacific region including New Guinea, Easter Island, Hawaii and New Zealand.

The Duchess of Cambridge carried out her first solo engagement – standing in for the Prince of Wales at a private fundraising dinner – in October 2011, almost six months after her wedding day.

Meghan, who married on May 19, is taking part in her first royal event by herself four months after becoming a member of the monarchy.

The exhibition marks the 250th anniversary of the Royal Academy, which was founded in 1768 – the year Captain James Cook set out on his first Endeavour expedition.

Meghan and Harry are due to tour Australia, Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand in October and the duchess will be shown art from the four countries during her exhibition viewing.

Later she will meet the exhibition’s curators, artists and descendants linked to the works on display, and view a short performance by Ngati Ranana, a Maori cultural group.