As Prince Harry confidently walked the red carpet to inspect the guard of honor, Meghan faced an awkward moment. A staff member stopped her from joining Harry on the red carpet, sparking reactions from Royal fans, who speculated that it was due to her non-royal status. The incident led to Meghan walking beside the red carpet, struggling in her heels, and anxiously making sure the cameras captured her every move.
Many noted that Meghan should have understood the protocol for state visits, where the head of state or a person in the military inspects the troops, while the partner typically stands on the side and engages in small talk with the greeting party. However, Meghan's desire for her red carpet moment led to an unintentional breach of diplomatic etiquette.
Body language expert Judy James analyzed the footage, observing how Harry seemed fully aware of his responsibilities during the inspection and walked away without looking back at Meghan. The expert speculated that Meghan might have been gestured off the red carpet due to protocol, but her desire to assert her importance might have played a role as well.
Despite the awkward encounter, Meghan did get her red carpet moment later on, but the incident became a talking point for royal watchers. The aftermath of the trip saw Harry with a bruise near his eye and a bite mark on his wrist, which added further fuel to the discussion.
