Prince Harry broke Royal protocol with Meghan Markle

A body language expert has explained why Prince Harry breaks protocol with Meghan Markle.

His Royal Highness, Prince Harry, whose engagement to the American actress was announced at 10am, was reported in October to have broken an unofficial royal protocol by being affectionate with his then-partner, now-fiancée in public.

The minor trend was set by Queen Elizabeth II, who did not hold hands with her husband Prince Phillip at public ceremonies or in the presence of the media.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, followed suit.

Although they appear to be loving and warm in public, they refrain from walking side by side holding hands.

Prince Harry, who in October was pictured with his partner Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games, broke the tradition, and allowed himself to be photographed being affectionate with Markle.

According to body language expert Robin Kermode, the public displays of affection are a sign the relationship is new, and that they couple want to establish it.

Kermode told Mail Online:

Some public figures use hand-holding as a deliberate act to prove that their relationship is solid, but this isn't something Prince William and Kate struggle with,

He explained the elder royal couple are taking their cues from the previous generation.

The Queen rarely holds hands with her husband in public and this seems to have set an unwritten precedent for the other royals,

It is very clear that William and Kate are emotionally close, however, they do not seem to feel the need to prove their love – particularly when on official state business.

They come across as a strong, independent couple and while they are always on show, they do not feel the need to 'show' their love for each other to the world.

In comparison, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relatively new relationship is in the early stages where their affection for one another needs to be established.

Their wedding was announced 27 November for Spring 2018.

HT Mail Online

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