Why Meghan and Harry kiss in public, but not Kate and William?
According to witnesses to the scene, the prince blushed. His wife, the Duchess of Sussex, upon seeing him, instantly realized his misstep. On the stage of the Victoria Palace Theater in London, where Meghan and Harry came to greet the troupe of the musical Hamilton at the end of the performance, Wednesday, August 29, she had just called him "my love", in front of about fifty people, as if they were alone in the world.
The company let out a big soft sigh, even if the two lovebirds were a little embarrassed, all the same. Such a public display of sentimentality, even of intimacy, does not occur among the British aristocracy, let alone among members of the royal family. Would you imagine the Queen throwing a "honey" at Prince Philip?
Kate and William wouldn't dare either. Only Meghan and Harry allow themselves what English speakers call “PDAs”, either “public display of affection” or “public display of affection” in French. As this rather transparent translation suggests, it is the small gestures of lovers in public, holding hands, a caress on the back, a kiss ... Recurrent among newlyweds in Sussex, this attitude never ceases to surprise the royal commentators, accustomed to more restraint among the members of the "firm", and even among the Cambridges, yet considered a young "modern" couple.
How to explain this difference? First and foremost, there is no written rule that would be respected by Kate and William, and broken by Meghan and Harry. Today, etiquette is less a law than a custom. Monarchy is, in essence, synonymous with tradition; tradition of which the queen is the guarantor. His Majesty does not appreciate this kind of demonstration anyway. Out of modesty, and perhaps with a hint of annoyance, she had looked away during Kate and William's wedding kiss on the Buckingham balcony. But apart from this kiss for history and photographers, the Cambridges do not allow themselves the same follies as the Sussexes because they themselves are the future guarantors of this tradition.
A question of rank, but also of character
One day, William will be king, and Kate, his queen. Harry, on the other hand, was relegated to sixth place in the order of succession by the births of the Cambridge children. There is infinitely little chance of his ascending to the throne, and it seems quite logical that protocol should be exercised on him a little less strictly than on his brother. Already today, their public missions are well distributed. Harry is the official Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, and organizes Olympics with veterans. His eldest took on institutional responsibilities and held diplomatic meetings at the request of the government. Here too, it's hard to imagine the future head of state of the United Kingdom kissing his wife during official meetings ...
This first observation should be qualified, however. Kate and William don't just take part in top-notch dates, where sobriety and restraint are essential. If the Cambridges and Sussexes behave differently, it’s also a question of character. A little troublemaker in his childhood, William has settled down well over time, until becoming the serious boy we know today. Conversely, Harry, a rather reserved kid, turned into a reveler of noticeable excess, and a rebel quick to break free from the rules of the palace. More measured now, he has retained a cheerful temperament and a certain outspokenness. No wonder, then, that he married an American, whose demeanor is generally friendly. For her part, Catherine, a commoner perhaps, but from the bourgeoisie, has for her a politeness and manners that are all "British".
Kate and William affectionate ... except when Harry is holding the candle!
Although not in their habit, Kate and William are nevertheless capable of affectionate gestures towards each other; as shown in our selection of photos. It should be noted, in this regard, that their rare “PDAs” generally occur within the framework of events with a relaxed atmosphere, in a less formal context than usual: sporting events or cultural visits abroad. ...
It should be noted - to avoid concluding that Kate and William are two beings with frozen hearts - the recurring presence of Harry by their side, before his meeting with Meghan. Indeed, Kate, William and Harry have often evolved to three between 2011 and 2017. If Kate and William had indulged in some displays of affection in public, it would have isolated and surely embarrassed the youngest, forced to hold the candle, for lack of a princess on his arm!
