Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reunited at Westminster Hall after an emotional funeral procession for the Queen and were pictured holding hands as they exited the ceremony today.
The US-based Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are staying in the UK after an alleged whistlestop tour of Europe and who stepped down from royal duties last year, met with fellow members of in London today for the occasion the company
The couple, who became known for constantly holding hands during their days as working royals, seemed keen to comfort each other after the service today and immediately shook hands when they got together.
While other couples like Zara and Mike Tindall also held hands, Kate Middleton and Prince William and the Earl and Countess of Wessex instead opted to avoid public displays of love.
The affectionate gesture is just the latest in a long line of public displays of affection between Harry, 37, and Meghan – who haven’t been able to keep their hands off each other since they first went public with their relationship in 2017.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reunited at Westminster Hall after an emotional funeral procession for the Queen and were pictured holding hands as they exited the ceremony today
The couple, who became known for constantly holding hands during their days as working royals, seemed keen to comfort each other after the service today and immediately shook hands when they got together
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave Westminster Hall in September
The couple, pictured together at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, leaned on each other and beamed with joy during the early stages of their courtship.
In a now-famous image, Harry leaned into Meghan’s ear to whisper, while Meghan crossed her legs and leaned forward, clearly pleased with what the prince was saying.
The Duchess of Sussex has been pictured dozens of times putting her hands on Harry’s back, while Harry is a fan of clutching Meghan’s hair and gently stroking her ponytail.
The move is for Harry’s support as well as her own comfort. During her first Trooping of the Color in 2018, Meghan laid her hand on Harry from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
The affectionate gesture is just the latest in a long line of public displays of affection between Harry, 37, and Meghan – who haven’t been able to keep their hands off each other since they first went public with their relationship in 2017
Before retiring from the royal family, Meghan and Harry wowed royal viewers with their affection during a tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji in 2018.
The couple sunned themselves with their son Archie in the afterglow of their pregnancy announcement and were frequently spotted stealing affectionate looks, holding hands and touching each other’s backs in support.
Not only is today’s occasion of historical significance, but Prince William and Prince Harry have settled their feud to support their father by marching with him behind the coffin. Hundreds of thousands of well-wishers will line the route.
The procession moved poignantly past the statue of the Queen’s parents, King George VI, and the Queen Mother overlooking The Mall. The Imperial State Crown, which the Queen wore on her way back to Buckingham Palace after her coronation, glittered in the daylight as crowds held up their phones to capture the scenes.
Mike and Zara Tindall were also pictured holding hands (pictured together) after this afternoon’s ceremony.
Zara and her husband and Princess Eugenie leave as a procession carrying the coffin of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth arrives at Westminster Hall from Buckingham Palace
A somber king waved to a huge crowd that had gathered along the Mall today as he arrived at Buckingham Palace hours before he was due to lead William, Harry and senior royals in a poignant procession behind the Queen’s coffin.
The crowd erupted in applause and cheers as the state-owned Rolls-Royce passed the Victoria Memorial and dropped Charles off at the royal residence.
Later, the world’s eyes once again turned to the king as he walked with family members to Westminster Hall – the ancient building at the heart of the Palace of Westminster where his mother will be laid to rest.
The royal family this afternoon accompanied their matriarch on foot as they made their way to Westminster Hall, where hundreds of thousands of people are expected to pay their respects after queuing for hours.
Her Majesty has been handed over to Britain by the King to lie in state until Monday for mourners to say their goodbyes
The Queen’s coffin entered Westminster Hall as the Choir of Westminster Abbey and the Choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace sang Psalm 139 (pictured).
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, follow the Queen’s coffin into Westminster Hall
Charles, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex, as well as the Duke of York, the Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex are part of the procession.
Anne’s son Peter Phillips and her husband Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence also walk behind the procession, as do the Duke of Gloucester and the Earl of Snowdon.
The Queen, Princess of Wales, Countess of Wessex and Duchess of Sussex arrive by car. The procession left the Palace at 2:22 p.m. and is expected to arrive at Westminster Hall at 3:00 p.m.
Her Majesty spent her last night in Buckingham Palace’s Bow Room before being carried on a gun carriage to Westminster Hall – the ancient heart of Parliament – where she will lie in state for four days until her funeral on Monday.
Prince William stood next to his wife Kate, behind them Harry and Meghan, the Sussexes
Prince Harry rubs his hands over his eyes next to his wife
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, curtseys and her husband bows as they view the Queen’s coffin
Catherine, Princess of Wales, wearing a brooch that belonged to the Queen, also curtseyed when she arrived
On her last night in Buckingham Palace’s Bow Room before being taken on a gun carriage to Westminster Hall – the ancient heart of Parliament – where she will lie in state for four days until her funeral on Monday.
More than 1 million people in central London are expected to queue for up to 35 hours to walk past her coffin – but experts believe only 400,000 will make it inside, meaning 600,000 people will be disappointed.
The Queen arrived at Buckingham Palace last night to the tears and cheers of the huge crowds who stood in the pouring rain to welcome her home following her death in Balmoral last Thursday.
The route from RAF Northolt to the Palace was crowded. There was a wave of light, many raising their phones in the air to film the hearse going by.
As the hearse pulled through the gates, Charles could be seen bowing his head with Harry and Meghan solemnly standing behind the monarch.
Kate and Meghan stood close, as did their feuding husbands