Prince Harry and Meghan Markle News: Why Newlyweds Won’t Hold Hands in Front of Queen

Before they were married, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were often seen showing affection in public, holding hands, rubbing each other’s back, and linking arms.

While the general masses may have gotten used to the couple’s public behavior, a curious moment was caught between the two during an event at the Buckingham Palace last week. Meghan was seen trying to hold hands with her new royal husband but the prince clasped his hands tighter to avoid the gesture.

People have been speculating on the reason behind the refusal as the Duke of Sussex isn’t particularly conscious about showing affection in public even after his marriage to Meghan. But those familiar with how the royal family behaves have shed light on why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would go out of their way to be more reserved.

Apparently, the reason for this was that Queen Elizabeth was around, People reported. The Duke of Sussex, having been royalty all his life, knows how to act in the presence of the queen. Meghan, on the other hand, is still getting used to all the subtle behavior that she needs to look out for.

Biographer Gyles Brandreth said that Prince Harry’s refusal to hold hands with his wife is in accordance with the traditional values held by his grandparents. Despite being married for 70 years, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip have never performed small acts of love in public.

Prince William and Kate Middleton are the same, with the couple rarely showing affection to one another during public events. Indeed, a certain level of etiquette is expected when one is a member of the royal family.

Of course, this isn’t to say that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle holding hands is an outright defiance of this decorum when the queen isn’t around. It’s simply a preference of the two, nothing more.

“While Prince Harry and Meghan holding hands is atypical for royal engagements, it is a seemingly welcomed gesture to show unity and celebration of their engagement period,” royal etiquette expert Myka Meier said. “There is no protocol that says they cannot show affection on official engagements, and this gesture makes them relatable and lovable to the public.”