How Prince Harry made Meghan Markle feel ‘comfortable’ at Queen’s funeral
Prince Harry went out of his way to make Meghan Markle feel comfortable at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral on Monday amid their tense relationship with the royal family.
“I noticed just how supportive Harry was to Meghan,” fellow guest Pranav Bhanot told People after the service. “When they went their separate directions after the ceremony, he gave her a firm squeeze of the hand. I felt he wanted to ensure she felt comfortable.”
Bhanot added that he could sense the support the Duke of Sussex offered to his wife.
“You saw the reassurance that Harry was giving to Meghan at times when they were walking together and had to go in their different directions,” he said.
Harry, 38, and Markle, 41, walked behind his estranged brother, Prince William, and the Prince of Wales’ wife, Kate Middleton, during the funeral procession at Westminster Abbey in London.
But Harry and Markle, who quit their royal duties in 2020 and moved to California, were seemingly snubbed with seats in the second row during the service itself. The front row was reserved for King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla as well as heir apparent William, Middleton and their kids Prince George, 9, and Princess Charlotte, 7.
Adding insult to injury, the front row also seated disgraced Prince Andrew as well as Zara Tindall, who is not a working royal.
The funeral was clearly emotional for the “Suits” alum, who was seen shedding a tear while mourning the loss of the longest-reigning British monarch.
Despite her sadness, body language expert and author Judi James told Page Six exclusively that Markle offered her husband “silent support” throughout the ceremony.
The pair’s outfits also made headlines. Harry wore a morning suit, as he was not allowed to don his military uniform after resigning from the royal family. Meanwhile, Markle honored the Queen in a cape dress that mirrored the one she wore to celebrate the monarch’s birthday in 2018. She also wore a pair of pearl-and-diamond earrings gifted to her by the Queen.
Harry and Markle have been spending time with William and Middleton, both 40, since news broke that the Queen died on Sept. 8 at age 96, including for a walkabout outside Windsor Castle on Sept. 10 after William extended an invitation to his brother and sister-in-law.
The gathering was significant as it was the first time the foursome came together publicly since Commonwealth Day in March 2020.
Twitter users have applauded Harry for showing support for Markle, who has been largely criticized by the British media. Harry was praised for opening the car door for Markle while William left Middleton to her own devices as they mourned the Queen with flowers.
The foursome also joined other royals to receive the Queen’s coffin, and Page Six reported that the brothers dined together that evening along with their respective wives.
However, Harry and Markel were uninvited to a pre-funeral reception for the family.
Markle has yet to put out a statement on the Queen’s death, but Harry shared, “I cherish these times shared with you, and the many other special moments in between. You are already sorely missed.”
