Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shared a quick kiss during the Invictus Games opening ceremony. (Photo: ANP/Getty Images)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle showed a sweet and rare public affection during the Invictus Games opening ceremony on April 16.
Markle wore an off-the-shoulder Khaite bodysuit and high-waisted pants as she introduced her “incredible husband” to the crowd on Saturday night at the Invictus Games, a multi-day, Paralympic-style sporting competition created by Prince Harry in 2014.
“I couldn’t love and respect him more and I know you all feel the same,” she said at her introduction. “Because he’s your comrade-in-arms, who did two trips to Afghanistan and ten years of military service, he’s the founder of the Invictus Games and the father of our two little ones, Archie and Lili. Please welcome my incredible husband, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex.”
Prince Harry then took to the stage and gave his wife a quick kiss in front of the crowd.
This kind of very public display of affection isn’t common among royals — even in the most romantic of settings — making the gesture a surprising one.
Fans loved the hickey and shared their thoughts on the moment via Twitter.
“So many beautiful moments but the kiss made me pass out,” wrote one fan.
According to royal etiquette expert Myka Meier, who spoke to People on the subject in relation to Kate Middleton and Prince William, there are no explicit policies prohibiting gestures of affection between royal spouses, but since many of their public appearances are considered work commitments, representatives of the British monarchy are extremely reserved in public.
While there are many rules governing other aspects of life as a king — including subtle curtseys and stopping eating when the queen does — limited PDA is more of an unwritten rule. It’s common for royals to follow protocols set by the Queen, who rarely held hands with her husband in public.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have taken a more relaxed approach to some of the royal guidelines compared to Prince William and Kate Middleton, who, for example, remained stoic during a visit to the Taj Mahal in 2016.
The story goes on
“There is no actual etiquette or royal protocol that says the couple must go without epidurals. The more likely reason is that during a trip like India, the couple are technically representatives of the British monarchy,” Meier continued. “The couple will likely show very little PDA, if any, in order to remain professional during their intended roles abroad,” Meier told People.
But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially gave up their royal duties in January 2020, which may also contribute to their increasing public affection compared to the Duchess and Duchess of Cambridge.
Britain’s Prince Harry kisses his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex after a charity polo match in Windsor, Britain. (Photo: REUTERS/Hannah McKay)
The two have a history of pro-PDA moments, including quick kisses during a charity polo event in 2018 and a smooch during her royal tour of southern Africa in 2019.
Their heartwarming moments during the Invictus Games games didn’t end with kisses as Prince Harry offered an exclusive interview to two enthusiastic youth reporters for De Kindercorrespondent from the Netherlands, where this year’s games took place.
And during a celebration with friends and family that opened the awards ceremony on Friday, Markle touched the hearts of fans everywhere as she offered a mother her coat to keep her newborn warm as the temperature dropped.
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