Prince Harry’s Subtle Dig at Prince William During Final Royal Appearance Stirs Tension
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made headlines when they stepped down as working royals in 2020, but a moment from their last official appearance continues to fuel discussions about the royal family rift. On March 9, 2020, at the Commonwealth Day service held at Westminster Abbey, Harry and Meghan attended their final event as senior royals, and a subtle exchange between the couples caught everyone’s attention.
The event was a big deal—Harry and Meghan’s last hurrah as working royals, with all eyes on how they’d interact with Prince William and Catherine, then the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. As the Sussexes settled into their seats, William and Catherine were nearby but kept their distance, opting to chat with Prince Edward and Sophie, who was then the Countess of Wessex, instead of engaging with Harry and Meghan right away.
When the family finally acknowledged each other, the moment was brief but loaded. William gave a curt “Hello, Harry,” while Meghan flashed a warm smile and said “Hi” to Catherine, followed by a friendly “Hello” to William—who seemed to miss it at first. According to lip reader Jeremy Freeman, who later spoke to The Daily Star, Harry turned to Meghan and made a pointed remark: “At least they acknowledged us this time.” The comment appeared to reference a past moment where Harry felt ignored by his brother and sister-in-law, hinting at the growing strain between the two couples.
On the other side, William reportedly whispered to Catherine, “That was executed well,” a comment that suggested a sense of relief, perhaps at navigating the awkward encounter without incident. But the exchange, though short, spoke volumes about the underlying tension between the brothers. The once-close bond between Harry and William had been fraying for years, and this moment at their final joint appearance only underscored how far apart they’d grown as Harry prepared to step away from royal life for good.
