As Meghan Markle and Prince Harry joined members of the Royal family in London to attend the procession for the Queen’s lying in state, a simple exchange seemingly broke royal protocol.
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex left Westminster Hall hand in hand on Wednesday and their close display of affection quickly garnered media attention.
Hand holding and other public displays of affection are usually off-limits for members of the royal family when they are at ‘official’ events, with Prince William and Kate Middleton, Queen Consort Camilla and King Charles and even the Queen and Prince Philip rarely caught sharing public displays of affection in the past.
Harry and Meghan’s breach of royal protocol has received mixed reactions online, with many disputing whether the display of affection was a show of unity or a subtle royal dig.
Body language expert Judi James told News.com.au that the gesture was “emotionally impulsive,” but noted that “it’s hard to not factor in how Harry was not allowed to appear in uniform like the others – apart from Andrew – so possibly felt less restriction in terms of sustaining royal protocol.”
The simple action was the second time in recent days that Meghan and Harry have supposedly broken royal protocol. During their surprise visit to Windsor Castle alongside Will and Kate, the Duke and Duchess were again photographed holding hands.
Whilst the breach of protocol quickly garnered attention online, many pointed out the hypocrisy of the situation, especially when a number of other royal couples were photographed holding hands.
“How is holding hands disrespectful?” ssked one Twitter user. “Just admit that Meghan can’t do anything right in your eyes. No wonder they left England.”
Another pointed out that it was confusing that people were “offended by married people holding hands,” adding that the simple gesture may have been “Meghan’s way of comforting Harry.”
As photographs of Zara and Mike Tindall, as well as Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo holding hands during the event emerged, many more people began to point out the barrage of hate Meghan and Harry receive no matter what they do.
The latest headlines come just days after rumours swirled around Meghan getting “uninvited” from Balmoral after the Queen’s health deteriorated.
Soon after, Meghan and Harry were back in the headlines after people believed Meghan was wearing a hidden microphone during a public appearance.
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