REALITY TV
TV
MOVIES
MUSIC
CELEBRITY
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Accuracy & Fairness Corrections & Clarifications Ethics Code Your Ad Choices
© MEAWW All rights reserved
MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

Meghan Markle gets rejected in an awkward moment when Prince Harry refuses to hold her hand

The Duchess of Sussex was found fumbling with her hands as Prince Harry did not reciprocate her actions of wanting to hold hands while attending the Young Leaders Reception.
UPDATED FEB 3, 2020
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (Source:Getty Images)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (Source:Getty Images)

Meghan Markle may be a royal now, but the former actress is still learning the ropes when it comes to royal protocol, even if it gets hard or extremely awkward at times. Recently, while attending the Young Leaders Reception at Buckingham Palace with Prince Harry and the Queen, the Duchess of Sussex was found fumbling with her hands as Prince Harry did not reciprocate her actions of wanting to hold hands.

In a video footage captured by Express, Meghan is seen strolling with Harry behind the Queen, but when she extends her hands towards Harry in order to hold them, Harry pulls his hands back, leaving an utterly confused and awkward Meghan behind.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at the Queen's Young Leaders Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace on June 26, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The public display of affection from Meghan's side was met with a crushing rejection since Harry kept his hands in front of his body and started fiddling with his tie, while Meghan silently tucked her hair behind her ear, without making things more obvious than they were.

Although royals have a strict protocol regarding public displays of affection and generally do not indulge in them while at an official event, Meghan has never really been a sucker for the royal rules and has, time and again, been seen giving them a miss. 

Leading up to their royal wedding that took place in May this year, both Prince Harry and Meghan have given the world more than just a glance at their love and affection for each other, and the couple has more often than not demanded the attention of royal body language experts. Their closeness and ease with each other even in public is what further endeared the public to the new royal couple. 

(L-R) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend The Prince of Wales' 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration held at Buckingham Palace on May 22, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

One such expert is Robin Kermode, who took a look at Meghan's awkward video and said, "The Queen rarely holds hands with her husband in public and this seems to have set an unwritten precedent for the other royals. It is very clear that William and Kate are emotionally close, however, they do not seem to feel the need to prove their love—particularly when on official state business."

While Meghan and Harry hardly shy away from indulging in simple PDA in front of scores of people, Prince William and Kate are quite private in this matter. Speaking about William and Kate unusual lack of PDA, royal expert Myka Meier said, "There is no actual etiquette or royal protocol that says the couple must refrain from PDA. The likely reasoning is more that while traveling on a tour such as the India trip, technically the couple are working representatives of British Monarchy." She added, "The couple is likely to show very little PDA, if any, to remain professional during their designated roles abroad." 

Both the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have always presented a restrained and serious body language when out in public, further proving how the code of conduct is so well engrained in the royal family members.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge arrive at the National Indigenous Training Academy on April 22, 2014 in Ayers Rock, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

However, coming back to Meghan and her awkward moment with her husband, it wasn't the only faux pas that our dear American committed that night. While sitting and posing for pictures with Prince Harry and the Queen sitting beside her, instead of clasping her knees and ankles together and slanting her legs to one side, she simply crossed them.

In the events leading up to her wedding and at other major royal events, Meghan was seen adopting the 'duchess slant' and looked absolutely stunning and lady-like. However, during this event, a few observers called out Meghan for sitting in an inappropriate way. Of course, people were quick to jump on the Duchess of Sussex and call her out for sitting in what is considered to be a disrespectful way. The fan wrote, "Meghan, don't cross your legs. Queen doesn't like that." 

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Queen Elizabeth II and John Major at the Queen's Young Leaders Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace on June 26, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

However, the new Duchess' fans were outraged over her being called out and were quick to defend her. One fan took to social media to share, "Let's focus on the wonderful honorees and NOT legs, dresses or etiquette — these young people deserve more focus." While another added, "Pretty sure the Queen is more concerned with Meghan's passion and commitment to the Commonwealth than how she crosses her legs." 

Another fan wrote, "Actually, she would be taught how to cross her legs which Kate often does too — she has been in the public eye for years — she knows what she is doing. Give her a break." One of the users was quick to add, "Give Megan a break, 36 years of crossing your legs is a hard habit to break." The 'Duchess Slant' was named after Kate Middleton even though it has been used by royal women for years. 

The Duchess of Sussex is under constant scrutiny from royal experts and the general public and it is certain that she feels a certain pressure in all these high-profile appearances and it is but natural that she would look for support from Prince Harry. Meghan can definitely be forgiven for slipping up here and there.

RELATED TOPICS KATE MIDDLETON MEGHAN MARKLE PRINCE HARRY
POPULAR ON MEAWW
MORE ON MEAWW