On Monday, March 9, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Prince William reunited at their first group event since Meghan and Harry’s royal exit. After arriving separately at Westminster Abbey for Commonwealth Day services, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were taken directly to their seats and did not take part in the procession of senior royals with Queen Elizabeth II. Kate and William did the same.
But this is where things get (seemingly) awkward. Harry and Meghan were the first to arrive at their seats in the second row, next to Harry’s uncle, Prince Edward, and Sophia, the Countess of Wessex. However, when William and Kate made their way to their seats in front, it looks as if they took great lengths to avoid Meghan and Harry. It seems like a smiling Harry and Meghan attempted to start an interaction, with Meghan giving them a wave, only to receive a brief hello from William and, apparently, zero eye contact from Kate.
Watch the interaction, below, in this video from Royal Central.
That’s not where the encounter ends. While reportedly waiting for the queen to enter, Meghan and Harry were seen in deep conversation with Edward. Kate, meanwhile, turned to speak with Sophie, without sparing a glance toward Harry and Meghan.
As the couples made their exit, they seemed to avoid speaking to each other altogether (though this may be protocol, who knows).
Of course, we have no way of knowing how the couples are interacting in private, but there have been reports of serious tension for the past few years. Before leaving London originally, Harry and William reportedly attempted to mend fences through “secret peace meetings.”
“They didn’t leave on good terms by any means, but they are both relieved that it’s over,” a source told People back in February. Another source told the publication that the brothers were “talking more” while Prince Harry was in Canada.
Fans who saw clips of Kate Middleton’s exchange with the Sussexes were definitely feeling the chilly vibes. “I’m still chipping the ice off my phone screen,” one user tweeted.
However, a few fans believe Kate did acknowledge Meghan’s hello. “Pretty sure Kate and Meghan said hi to each other,” @AshleyMMeskimen tweeted. “If you look Kate is looking at Meghan.”
“If Sophie is Meghan’s doppelgänger, then I guess Kate did say hello,” user @7calypso countered.
No matter what happened at the event, hopefully, the royal family will get a chance to spend some more time together, away from the public eye, before Harry and Meghan go back to North America.
