Meghan Markle's claim that the Royals are not huggers has been challenged by new photographs.
Meghan made the statement during the Prince Harry and Meghan docu-series in December 2022, recounting her first meeting with Prince William and Princess Catherine. She mentioned that hugs were really jarring for a lot of Brits. However, heartwarming images of Zara Tindall warmly embracing Lady Gabriella Kingston at Royal Ascot on Tuesday seem to contradict Meghan's assertion.
Known as Ella to her friends and family, Lady Gabriella was invited to join the Royal procession by King Charles following the sudden death of her husband earlier this year. She rode in the second carriage with Princess Anne, her son Peter Phillips, and John Warren, the Royal racing manager. Lady Gabriella looked radiant in a pale pink floral dress with a matching hat, smiling brightly during the carriage procession. The charming snaps show Zara warmly embracing Lady Gabriella, her smile radiant, prompting a re-examination of Meghan's comments.
Meghan's full statement from the Netflix series discussed the moment she met the Prince and Princess of Wales: "When Will and Kate came over and I was meeting her for the first time, I remember I was in ripped jeans, I was barefoot. Like, I was a hugger. I've always been a hugger. I didn't realize that's really jarring for a lot of Brits. I started to understand that the formality on the outside carried through on the inside."
In his book, "Spare," Harry revealed that his brother also found Meghan's hug uncomfortable. He wrote, "I introduced Meghan, who leaned in and gave him a hug, which completely freaked him out. He recoiled. Willie didn't hug many strangers, whereas Meghan hugged most strangers. The moment was a classic collision of cultures, like flashlight-torch, which felt to me both funny and charming. Later, however, looking back, I wondered if it was more than that. Maybe Willie expected Meghan's curtsy."
The notion that Meghan invented hugs seems exaggerated. What Meghan didn't understand was that strangers expected a formal handshake as per protocol and not to be caught off guard by a very awkward invasion of personal space. The Royal family has always hugged friends and family members.
Meanwhile, the Royal family put on a united front on Wednesday as they rallied around Prince William on the second day of Royal Ascot. The Prince of Wales and Queen Camilla led the way in the first carriage, kicking off the prestigious Berkshire event, which saw the stands filled with racegoers and the Royal box entertaining Camilla's guests. With only the Princess of Wales and the King missing, the Royals, including Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie, Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie with their husbands, Zara and Mike Tindall, were all seen mingling and beaming at the parade ring ahead of the races. Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, also made an appearance in the parade ring, as well as Princess Catherine's parents, Carole and Mike Middleton.
This display of camaraderie among the Royals at Royal Ascot serves as a reminder of their close-knit nature and the warmth that they share with those within the circle. The pictures of Zara and Lady Gabriella embracing are a testament to this, challenging the narrative that the British Royal family is aloof or overly formal in their interactions. These moments of affection and solidarity offer a glimpse into the personal dynamics of the Royals, showing that despite the protocols and public scrutiny, they maintain genuine and affectionate relationships with one another.
