Royal fans accused Prince William and Kate Middleton of ‘ignoring’ Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in a ‘painful’ greeting as they attended the Commonwealth Service today.
The Duke, 35, and Duchess of Sussex, 38, reunited for the Duke, 37, and Duchess of Cambridge, 38, for the first time today since Megxit was announced two months ago.
But as the couple greeted in Westminster Abbey today, many royal followers were left feeling upset and couldn’t help commenting on the ‘cold’ greeting.
One wrote: ‘That looks painful’, while another commented: ‘This really upset me. William and Kate, so rude.’
Royal fans accused Prince William, 37, and Kate Middleton, 38, of ‘ignoring’ Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle, 38, at the Commonwealth Service today
Another added: ‘Okay, even I have got to admit that looks cold. They better had a meetup before so that this was only their second greeting during the day, because that’s no way to greet a brother when you first see them.’
Meanwhile another wrote: ‘I’m sad about this…didn’t acknowledge each other.’
One tagged a friend, writing: ‘OMG look at this! That looks like a blatant snub by William and Kate.’
Another added: ‘That felt cold.’
Social media users went wild over the moment, with many commenting that the interaction appeared ‘cold’ and ‘rude’
Harry and Meghan were conducted to their seats at the church in London, shortly before Kate and Prince William joined them in the row in front.
Meghan was seen to mouth ‘hi’ and give a small wave to William and Kate, followed by a ‘hello’, as the Cambridges took their seat.
They appeared to greet Sophie and Edward Wessex before turning to acknowledge the Sussexes.
Harry said ‘hello’ and smiled at his brother and, while Edward partly rose to greet the Cambridges, but Sophie and the Sussexes remained seated.
Later, Meghan chatted animatedly to Edward as they waited for the Queen to arrive, with Harry joining in the conversation and putting his arm on the back of Meghan’s chair as he did so.
Prince Harry and Meghan could be seen smiling at Prince William and Kate as they arrived, but didn’t rise from their seats to greet the couple as Prince Edward did (pictured)
Later, Edward could be seen chatting with the Sussexes, while Prince William and Kate spoke to one another
Meghan dazzled in a breathtaking green Emilia Wickstead dress with asymmetrical cape and hat by William Chambers.
Meanwhile Kate opted for a red ensemble, re-wearing a coat by Catherine Walker and a hat by Sally-Ann Provan.
The occasion marked the first time the couples had reunited since the announcement of Prince Harry and Meghan’s plans to step down from life in as working royals.
The Commonwealth Service today marked the first time the couples have been seen in public together since Meghan and Prince Harry announced their plans to step down from the life as senior royals
It was also their last public royal duty before they walk away from the monarchy.
From March 31, the monarch’s grandson and American former actress Meghan will no longer use their HRH styles as they pursue a new life of personal and financial freedom, mostly in North America.
A source previously revealed how Prince Harry left the country on ‘bad terms with his brother’ after he and Meghan stepped down as senior royals.
The service at Westminster Abbey today marked the first time the couples have reunited since Meghan and Harry announced Megxit in January (pictured left, Kate and Prince William arriving at the service and right, Prince Harry and Meghan)
The rift is said to have begun in 2017 when Prince William warned his younger sibling he was ‘moving too fast’ with Meghan Markle, People magazine reports.
‘They didn’t leave on good terms by any means, but they are both relieved that it’s over,’ the source – described as a friend of the family – said.
Harry and Meghan’s resignation as senior Royals was said to have widened the gulf between the two siblings, with William understood to be ‘incandescent’ over his brother’s blindsiding of the Family.