Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, back on British soil together for the first time in four months finally bade farewell to the monarchy and their roles as senior royals on Monday as they attended the Queen's Commonwealth Service in Westminster Abbey.
From the outside looking in the pictures paint an image of a family at peace with Megxit – Meghan looked stunning stylish in an emerald-green Emilia Wickstead dress with a matching fascinator by William Chambers while the Duchess of Cambridge chose to wear an eye-catching red coat by Catherine Walker. It was the first reunion of the royal family since the decision of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to create a life of their own outside of the United Kingdom and the royal family.
Prince Harry and wife Meghan walked hand-in-hand into Westminster Abbey but did not take up their expected place alongside Queen Elizabeth II in the formal procession into the Commonwealth Day service.
Instead, in an apparent last-minute change requested by the Queen, they were led straight to their seats in the second row at the televised event. They engaged in a vibrant conversation with Harry’s uncle Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie Wessex, who were seated next to them. Sophie will, according to royal insiders, be filling the royal gap that has been left by Meghan’s departure.
Now here’s where there seemed to be a bit of tension. The television footage of the event shows Markle smiling expectantly as Prince William walked in with wife Kate Middleton. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge initially appeared to avoid eye-contact, then we see Harry, mouthing “hello” at his brother while his wife smiled and gave a small wave. According to an article in Britain’s Daily Mail, body language expert Judi James said Harry's 'tension was palpable' as William it seemed, failed to greet his brother.
It was the first time the brothers have been seen together since Harry’s shock announcement that he was quitting ‘the firm’, a decision long-rumoured to have been fuelled by a falling out with William.
It is not clear how much time, if any, they have spent together since Harry returned to the UK for his royal tour. Royal sources also say that the Queen is said to have been devastated that Meghan did not bring her great-grandson Archie along for the trip.
Noticeably absent was the Queen’s rumoured 'favourite son', 60-year-old Prince Andrew, perhaps not a bad thing given the recent bashing he has received in the press over his disgraceful relationship with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
There is no doubt though, that despite the odd moment of tension, everyone would have been on their best behaviour under the glare and scrutiny of the television cameras and with the paparazzi in full swing.
His hair looking as dishevelled as ever, Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson also attended the service with his pregnant fiancée Carrie Symonds. - it was their first public appearance since announcing they are expecting.
And that brought to an end the last public engagement for the Sussex’s since the saga began in January when they declared to the world and the Queen of their plans to live a life independent of the royal family.
Their new life officially starts on the 1st April with the palace stressing that it is on a one-year trial basis, and the Queen reportedly telling Harry recently that they will “always be welcomed back”
The question remains – will they be able to have their cake and eat it?
