Meghan’s giggles as bee makes a beeline for Harry
THE new Duke of Sussex got buzzed and his Duchess got the giggles when a dive-bombing bee wreaked havoc on their first official engagement as a married couple yesterday.
Prince Harry was giving a speech in honour of his father Prince Charles at a Buckingham Palace garden party when the bumblebee circled his head, then flew into his ear.
Midway through his speech, Harry, 33, lost his place and trailed off.
He said: “Pfff... that bee really got me,” prompting laughter from the 6,500 guests standing on the Queen’s lawn.
A few feet away alongside Charles and Camilla, Meghan, wearing a £590 old-rose dress by Goat, a Philip Treacy hat, and Tamara Mellon Siren pumps, dissolved into giggles and put her hand over her mouth.
But Charles, 69, had missed it so his new daughter-in-law leaned across a laughing Camilla, with whom she appeared to get on famously, to explain the joke.
Coincidentally, his son had just been praising him for his work to help protect bee populations threatened by insecticides.
Harry was given a long round of applause when he stepped up.
When guests later congratulated them, both newlyweds politely said “thank you”. But they then moved the conversation on to charity work to avoid taking attention away from Charles at the special event celebrating his military and charity patronages prior to his 70th birthday in November.
Guest Sophie Rogers gave Meghan her first gift on duty as a duchess – a handmade crystal necklace from her studio, High Vibe Designs.
The 26-year-old had received a grant from The Prince’s Trust two years ago to help start her successful business.
Meghan said: “Oh how sweet, thank you. I was just admiring your necklace, it’s beautiful.”
In his speech, Harry paid tribute to his father’s work with the 386 charities and 18 military units represented.
He poked fun at his father’s habit of sending “black spider” letters.
He asked: “Who amongst you has not known the joy, and perhaps trepidation, at receiving a handwritten note in response to some news shared from your organisation, urging you on and asking for more to be done?
“Who has not come away from a meeting with my father, their head spinning with a dozen new ideas. His enthusiasm and energy are truly infectious. It has certainly inspired William and I to get involved in issues we care passionately about and to do whatever we can.”
Acknowledging his father’s wishes, Harry added: “So, Pa, while you’ve asked that today not be about you, you must forgive me if I don’t listen to you – much like when I was younger – and instead, I ask everyone here to say a huge thank you for your incredible work over nearly 50 years.
“Work that has given self-confidence and opportunity to thousands of young people who might not have had the best start in life, or to champion causes like climate change long before almost anyone else was talking about it.
“You have inspired William and I, and it is clear to see that we are not alone.”
Later, Charles spoke to Harry Keane, 14, a police cadet who gave emotional support to officers in the three days after last year’s Manchester Arena bombing.
For entertainment, a ukulele orchestra performed The Ying Tong Song.
MEGHAN is continuing to win in the style stakes after showing great elegance in a custom-made Givenchy wedding dress.
And at yesterday’s garden party, she stayed true to the understated and classic style that has endeared her to the British public.
The Duchess of Sussex opted for a silk crepe shift dress in the palest of pinks. It featured a panelled bodice and fitted pencil skirt that fell just past her knee – perfectly in line with the royal protocol that will now govern her style choices.
The dress from London-based brand Goat also suggests that she has left behind her Hollywood lifestyle as she embraced British design for the second time in a week.
Meghan looked picture perfect in a bespoke Philip Treacy hat, a favourite milliner in royal circles. She completed her outfit with a nod to two more homegrown designers, a Wilbur & Gussie clutch bag and shoes from Tamara Mellon.
These subtle style choices reassert Meghan’s desire to use her fashion power to champion her new home’s wealth of talent.
And while I’m sure the scrutiny of Meghan’s style choices will continue for years to come, it seems the newest royal has put her best designer-shod foot forward.