'You too can be an actress - and nobody can tell you otherwise': Young fan's tender encounter with Meghan Markle

A star-struck schoolgirl has shared with 9NEWS the words of wisdom imparted by Meghan Markle during a heart-warming encounter with the new royal.

Sophia Richards said she was on a school trip to a science museum in Birmingham, England on March 8 when her class crossed paths with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

"Everyone was saying we need to get behind bars and wave flags for the royals to come," Sophia told 9NEWS.

The couple, who were on a walkabout at Millennium Point prior to attending an International Women's Day celebration, approached the crowd of onlookers to say hello.

"Harry came up to me and asked me what my favourite subject was and what job I'd like to have when I was older and I said, 'actress'," Sophia recalled.

"So he took me over to Meghan, and Meghan said I can be whatever I want to be and nobody can tell me I can't.

"If I want to be an actress I have to be confident."

Photos of the encounter show Markle shaking Sophia's hand then embracing her.

The girl spoke to 9NEWS outside Windsor Palace in the lead-up to their wedding, saying she was looking forward to congratulating the newlyweds.

"Hopefully she'll recognise me," she said.