Harry And Meghan: A Wedding Bow Snub?

There was some speculation as to why Prince Harry did not bow to the Queen at his wedding to Meghan Markle. Some viewers of the wedding took to Twitter to express their confusion, with some speculating that it was because Meghan is American. However, it turns out that Harry and Meghan did bow to the Queen, but the camera angle panned out, making the gesture hard to spot.

Harry and Meghan bowed to the Queen, but it wasn't caught on camera

There was some speculation after the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle that the couple did not bow to the Queen. However, it seems that Harry and Meghan did indeed bow to the Queen, but the gesture was not caught on camera.

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward pointed out that the bride and groom were expected to bow to the Queen after the national anthem in the ceremony, but some people didn't seem to spot it. It turns out that the camera angle panned out to a bird's-eye view, making the gesture hard to see.

One Twitter user wrote, "Did Meghan not curtsy to the Queen or did I just miss it?!". Another said, "Could someone please tell me why she did not curtsy to the Queen? Is this a new protocol? Because she is American? Because she forgot? What?".

A video on Twitter does show the moment, but according to Moniek Bloks, it's hard to see because of a "wide shot". Bloks also blamed the camerawork for the reactions, saying that the cameras "panned to a wide shot" at the exact moment of the gesture.

Harry and Meghan's wedding included several breaks from tradition, such as the inclusion of a gospel choir and Meghan walking down the aisle partly on her own. However, the couple did adhere to some royal traditions, such as marrying in a historic church, and Meghan wearing a high-necked, long-sleeved, elegant white gown, and Harry wearing his military uniform.

Meghan's American citizenship may have influenced the decision not to curtsy

Meghans American citizenship may have influenced the decision not to curtsy

As an American citizen, Meghan Markle is not accustomed to the British custom of bowing or curtsying, which is a traditional way of showing deep respect. In fact, Meghan's American citizenship may have influenced her decision not to curtsy to the Queen at their wedding, as it is not a custom that Americans typically observe. While some Americans may choose to bow or curtsy when meeting a royal, it is not obligatory, and a simple handshake is also considered a respectful form of greeting.

Additionally, Meghan's citizenship may have played a role in her understanding and adherence to royal protocols. As a member of the royal family, Meghan is expected to curtsy to the sovereign and other royals who outrank her. However, the rules of royal greetings can be complex and vary depending on rank and whether the royals are accompanied by their spouses. For example, when Meghan is with her husband, Prince Harry, she outranks blood princesses such as Princess Anne, Princess Eugenie, and Princess Beatrice. In contrast, when she is alone, she is expected to curtsy to these royals.

Furthermore, Meghan's American citizenship may have influenced her approach to royal traditions and protocols in general. As a royal bride, Meghan made several personal choices for her wedding that deviated from traditional norms, such as including gospel choirs and choosing to walk down the aisle partly on her own. These choices reflected her desire to incorporate her own style and independence into the wedding ceremony.

It is worth noting that Meghan has previously shown her understanding of royal protocols and has curtsied to the Queen on other occasions, such as during the Christmas Day service in Norfolk in 2017. However, at their wedding, both Meghan and Prince Harry may have intentionally or unintentionally chosen to depart from the tradition of bowing or curtsying to the Queen.

Overall, while Meghan's American citizenship may have influenced her decision not to curtsy to the Queen at their wedding, it is important to recognize that the royal family has adapted to modern times, and there are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting the monarch or other royal family members.

The Queen's seat placement followed royal protocol

The Queen's seat placement at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding followed royal protocol. The wedding took place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, with almost 800 guests in attendance. The Queen was seated directly behind the seat closest to Harry, which was left empty to ensure she had a clear view of the ceremony. This is customary, as it is standard protocol for members of the royal family to ensure that the Queen's view is not blocked.

At the wedding of William and Kate in 2011, the Queen sat in the front row, so this was not a concern. However, the Queen reportedly favours and prefers the seat she had at St. George's Chapel. The placement of the Queen's seat allowed her to have a direct view of the powerful sermon by Bishop Michael Curry and the moment when Prince Harry told Meghan, "You look amazing."

While there was speculation that the empty seat next to Prince William was left in remembrance of Prince Harry's late mother, Princess Diana, this was not the case. The empty seat was simply a practical arrangement to accommodate the Queen's view.

The seating plan for the wedding broadly followed that of William and Kate's wedding, with members of the British Royal Family and close Markle family members at the front, the former on the right and the latter on the left.

The Queen's vibrant outfit was in keeping with her usual style

The vibrant outfit worn by Queen Elizabeth II at the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry was in keeping with her usual style. The British monarch is known for her bold fashion choices, often opting for bright colours and eye-catching accessories.

Queen Elizabeth's colourful wardrobe is not simply a personal preference but a thoughtful choice. At 5 feet 3 inches tall, the Queen is easier to spot in a crowd when wearing vivid hues. Her granddaughter-in-law, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, has also adopted this style tactic, wearing bright red during a royal tour of Canada in 2016 so that she could be seen by the crowds.

The Queen's biographer, Robert Hardman, quoted her as saying, "I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am." This sentiment was echoed by Sophie, Countess of Wessex, who explained that the Queen "needs to stand out for people to be able to say 'I saw the Queen'".

The Queen's sartorial choices are also strategic and diplomatic. For instance, during a historic visit to the Republic of Ireland in 2011, she wore a green coat and matching hat, Ireland's de facto national colour, demonstrating the soft power of fashion.

While the bride and groom's choice to not bow to the Queen may have been a break from tradition, the Queen's vibrant outfit was very much in line with her usual style.

Harry and Meghan's wedding was not the first time Meghan had curtsied to the Queen

As a newly inducted Duchess of the royal family, Meghan was expected to curtsy to the sovereign and other royals who outranked her. According to royal protocol, anyone who meets the Queen needs to bow their head or curtsy. However, the rulebook may be more relaxed than that. The Queen's former press secretary, Dickie Arbiter, has stated that it is "not necessary" to bow or curtsy and that there is "no hard and fast rule".

At Harry and Meghan's wedding, the bride and groom did bow to Her Majesty, although the camera angle made the gesture hard to spot. The couple also paused briefly to bow and curtsy to the Queen before walking down the aisle.

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