This occasion was undoubtedly a big deal for the Duchess of Sussex, coming just days after her wedding to Prince Harry. The occasion was marked as the official birthday of the British sovereign. For Markle, it was something of both royal tradition and personal nerves. As shown by a lip reader, she was “nervous” during the awash, causing Prince Harry to offer some calming advice.
Throughout the grueling event, Prince Harry was physically present by Markle’s side, providing a constant flow of support and reassurances. As they made their appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony, he ensured that she understood the protocols and expectations surrounding the ceremonial occasion. Not wanting to add to already intense scrutiny, Markle did her best to project elegance and poise, even when her internal confidence faltered.
Markle tried to prevent some of this with the help of humour, calling the event “Colourful”. Little did he know this innocuous joker would land with Kate Middleton. She answered in a way that was not consistent with the kind of laugh that Markle wanted to elicit. Prince Harry, aware of the awkwardness of the exchange, understood the nuances of royal social interactions and the potential for miscommunication.
The mood among the royals at Trooping the Colour was a good place to begin. People were happy and positive, which really helped make the event feel more celebratory. Markle’s stab at self-deprecation only underlined the precariousness of her place in the royal family’s hierarchy. This tension became further evident in Prince Harry’s memoir “Spare,” where he candidly discussed his wife’s experiences during her first public royal engagement.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at their first official engagement – Trooping the Colour, 2018. They marched year after year in the celebrations, right up to their last appearance in 2022. This final public appearance took place only a few months before Queen Elizabeth II’s death. What it meant The Credit: ITV It was an incredibly poignant moment in royal history.
