Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s very awkward snub at royal event that left him in ‘tears’
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were said to have been upset at the 2020 Commonwealth Day service – with onlookers noting that Harry ‘appeared to grow gloomier’ as time went on
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were left feeling ‘sensitive and emotional’ after a snub by the royal family as they made their final appearance with the Firm.
The Sussexes announced they were quitting royal life in January 2020 – and on 9 March they stepped out for the last time with the Queen, then-Prince Charles, Prince William and Princess Kate at the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey.
Prior to the ceremony, 2,000 orders of service were distributed detailing that William and Kate would enter the Abbey with the main royals – but, there was absolutely no mention of Meghan and Harry. It was something that the couple were “quite sensitive and emotional about”, according to the Daily Mail .
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Expanding further on the situation, royal author and historian Robert Lacey wrote: “Observers also noted that Harry’s face was ‘quite tense and unsmiling’ – and that when William sat down close to him, he barely greeted his brother.
“Throughout the service, Meghan megawatted away with her best TV smile but, as the ceremony progressed, Harry appeared to grow gloomier. According to one observer, ‘his accelerated blinking even suggested he might have been fighting back tears’.”
Of course, Harry and Meghan have since set up home in California and are all but estranged from the rest of the family. The royals, meanwhile, put on a united front on Monday as they came together once again for the 2025 Commonwealth Day service. Princess Kate turned heads in a striking red Catherine Walker coat and a hat by Gina Foster – and was seen having a sweet exchange with her husband after taking their seats inside the Abbey.
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It was a poignant outing for both Kate and the King. Both were forced to miss last year’s service having both been diagnosed with cancer, and they looked delighted to be able to attend on Monday to honour the 56 nations of the Commonwealth.
Body language expert Judi James noted how happy the Prince and Princess were in each other’s company at the event, telling the Mirror that one moment in particular revealed William’s ‘bashful crush’ on his wife. She explained: “William and Kate made the body language transition from ‘unison’ behaviours to mirrored, ‘free movement’ behaviours at this formal royal event.
“Since Kate’s illness, they have been extra tactile and totally connected during their public appearances, using every opportunity to use touches, glances or mimed hugs to move together coupled up like ice skaters or ballroom dancers.
“But here they performed the equivalent of ‘free’ movement, putting in their professional appearance in a more traditionally regal way but moving while apart in synchronised, mirrored unity as they did so.
“What this showed was a more relaxed approach with no need to check or employ tie-signs. It appeared to signal they were both on strong, repaired form for this event, keeping their signals of utter fondness to a minimum while still keeping totally in sync.
“They walked in together but slightly apart with signs of renewed energy and positivity. William’s beaming smile projected ongoing pride in his wife but he avoided all the steering pats and touches that can imply she has some need of support and encouragement.
“When they did connect as they do here, sitting together, William’s body-scrunched pose and his very youthful smile with eye crinkling and a peek of the front teeth through his lips in response to Kate’s lean and playful smile suggests a bit of a bashful crush is still going on in their relationship.”
