Is this the hug that shows Meghan is ready to be the new People’s Princess?
FOR anyone else, it would have been a simple, natural gesture worthy of no special regard or comment.
But when Meghan Markle hugged a charity worker on her first official visit to Scotland, comparisons with her fiancé Prince Harry’s late mother were inevitable.
Normally, unofficial protocol decrees that the only contact members of the public can expect with Royals is a handshake.
Miss Markle’s embrace of Alice Thompson, however, recalled the charm of Princess Diana and showed a warm approach that could win her the hearts of the nation.
Diana became known as the People’s Princess thanks to her ability to connect with everyone she met regardless of their backgrounds.
Yesterday Miss Thompson described how Miss Markle brushed away her hand as she tried to shake it, instead offering the hug during her visit to Edinburgh.
The businesswoman helps run Social Bite and met the Royal couple on Tuesday at the charity cafe that helps the homeless.
The 27-year-old said: ‘I told Meghan that as a woman who had lived in the shadow of my male business partner for several years due to insecurities about my own ability to compete or perform, I found the speech she gave to UN women in 2015 inspirational and motivating.
‘She seemed really touched and a tad emotional. She said she was really nervous to give that speech and that it meant a lot to her that it had inspired me to continue going with something like Social Bite.
‘She gave me a little cuddle. Outside the shop I went to shake her hand and she nudged it out of the way and embraced me. It wasn’t out of the blue, it was a continuation of what happened inside.’
Miss Thompson added: ‘Meghan is such a lovely person and there is something that feels very accessible about her. She was very giving and very open. It was lovely.’