HARRY & MEGHAN
Your royal update
Making their first joint appearance since introducing baby Archie to the world, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry were all smiles on June 8 as they arrived at the annual Trooping the Colour event by carriage, joined by Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Meghan, who gave birth to her son on May 6, waved to the crowds flashing a sparkly new diamond eternity ring, which WHO confirms was an anniversary gift from her husband.
According to some eagle-eyed observers, however, things got chillier from there. Onlookers claimed to have picked up on a tense moment between the couple during their appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony. Footage shows Meghan, 37, who was standing in front of Harry, 34, turn around to speak with him. After Harry said a few words to her, she swiftly turned back to face the crowd with a solemn expression.
The fan who posted the clip believed Harry snapped at Meghan to “turn around” and two lip-reading experts agree. Lip reader Tina Lannin told The Sun that Prince Harry can be seen telling Meghan: “No, he hasn’t. Oh fine. Turn around.” Another lip-reading expert told The Daily Mail Online that he said: “Yes, that’s right. Turn around ... Look,” letting her know the parade was about to start.
Fans on Twitter weighed in, noting Meghan appeared emotional after the exchange: “She eventually turned around and looked like she was going to start crying. The balcony seemed rather chilly, if you ask me.”
In a wider shot, everyone on the balcony turns around when the anthem strikes up. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told website Insider he believes it was an “unhappy exchange. Let us hope it was not symptomatic of anything other than a misunderstanding.” He adds, “but the Buckingham Palace balcony is not the place to draw attention to such things. In an era where social media, lip readers and long-range cameras ensure nothing public is hidden, it is more important than ever.”
The interaction was followed by reports that Prince Philip had previously told Harry: “One steps out with actresses, one doesn’t marry them.” The alleged comments were in a Sunday Times article about the so-called rift between Harry, William, Meghan and Kate and rumours they will divide the Royal Foundation charity.
Ignoring his grandfather’s advice, Harry is now making the most of his choices. “Harry has wanted this family life for a while,” a source close to the royal household tells WHO. For Meghan, time spent free from scrutiny at their Frogmore Cottage home is sweet. “Meghan’s so happy there,” says the source.