Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton’s first meeting after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they were stepping down from the Royal family was said to be very awkward.
Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton have been feuding for years
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sent shockwaves around the world when they announced their decision to step down from the Royal Family and start a new life in America.
Not only were fans stunned by the news, but many members of Harry’s family had also been kept in the dark. Reports suggest that King Charles and Prince William were given just a 10-minute heads up before the couple made their announcement.
Once the bombshell news dropped on Instagram, the Royal Family and their trusted advisors had to figure out what Meghan and Harry’s post-royal life would look like. After several tense meetings, a date was set for the couple’s final royal engagement – Commonwealth Day.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left after Commonwealth Day
They had an awkward run-in with Prince William and Princess Kate
The annual event, which is usually a highlight in the royal calendar, was bound to be awkward with tensions still high between the Sussexes and the Royal Family. Body language expert Judi James suggested the reunion between Princess Kate and Meghan was particularly awkward.
As per tradition, Meghan and Harry arrived at Westminster Abbey before Prince William and Princess Kate due to their lower rank. They took their seats in the second row and waited for the senior royals to arrive.
Meghan lit up as the rest of the family walked in, including her father-in-law King Charles, before giving a somewhat awkward wave in Kate’s direction.
The reunion was a tense one
Speaking to The Mirror at the time, Judi said the wave was a “rather odd greeting ritual”. She said: “It wasn’t the warm reunion that we were all hoping for. The tension in Harry’s body language especially was palpable.
“When he arrived, the minute he and Meghan had to drop hands, he immediately reached for his wedding ring which is a self comfort. Even when she was beside him after they had stopped holding hands, he was missing her, needing her support.
“As Harry walked up the aisle, they both waved at the children, but his face otherwise was quite tense and unsmiling. Harry and Meghan looked a lot more genuinely cheerful, and Harry especially, through a really affectionate smile at Kate. But when it was William, you could see Harry was slightly more rigid and his lips were closed.”
