The British royal family has always been under the spotlight, adhering to strict protocols that govern the behavior of its members during official and public events.
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Among these rules is a key one: all family members must walk behind the king or queen, in respect of the royal order of precedence, which reflects the line of succession to the throne, according to the British newspaper Daily Mail.
However, newly resurfaced video footage on social media revealed Meghan Markle’s breach of this protocol during her first official appearance with Queen Elizabeth II in 2018, sparking widespread controversy.
The footage shows Meghan walking ahead of the Queen, as well as not adhering to the protocol related to receiving flowers from the public.
This incident, along with other instances, reignited debate about Meghan's willingness to follow strict royal rules and raised questions about her relationship with the royal institution.
Breaking the "Golden Rule"
Walking ahead of the monarch is considered a violation of the protocol dictated by the order of succession to the throne. During Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign, every public step was meticulously planned to avoid any breach of protocol.
But the leaked footage shows Meghan walking ahead of the then 92-year-old Queen, until one of the aides directed her to the correct path, saying, "Please, this way."
In addition to walking ahead of the Queen, it appears Meghan forgot the proper rules when it came to handling bouquets of flowers handed to her by members of the public.
Royal protocol dictates that family members hand flowers to their personal assistants rather than holding onto them themselves. This is because they need to keep their hands free to shake more hands and, for security reasons, as bouquets could contain harmful substances or explosives.
The footage sparked widespread criticism, with some users commenting on Meghan’s "boldness," while others saw it as evidence of "narcissism."
The incident highlighted the challenges the former American actress faced in adapting to the complexities of royal life, especially since she joined the family at the age of 36 with no prior background in royal traditions.
Some of the other missteps she made included entering the car before the Queen on the same day and walking ahead of William and Kate during Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in 2022, prompting Harry to pull her back. She also reportedly refused guidance from the Duchess of Edinburgh (Sophie) on learning royal protocol, instead relying on Harry.
Meghan, the American actress, had to learn how to curtsy properly, conduct the royal handshake, stand when the Queen stood, avoid any public displays of emotion, and remember not to sign anything.
Her training also included learning how to greet prominent figures, behave at royal events, and understand the complexities of life within the palace.
Despite the criticism, the footage also shows warm moments between Meghan and the Queen, where they laughed together while the Queen gave Meghan advice on motherhood. Harry wrote in his memoir that Meghan felt a "real connection" with the Queen after the meeting.
The renewed debate highlights the contrast between Meghan's proactive nature and the rigid traditions enforced by the royal family, which could partly explain the clash that eventually led to her withdrawal from royal life. While some view her actions as "overconfidence," others see them as a challenge from a new generation to old systems. - Agencies
