Prince Harry's 'Protective' Gesture Over Meghan Markle Caught on Camera

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship has become the focus of a new viral video after footage of the couple captured during the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II resurfaced

The duke and duchess met in 2016 and married in an elaborate royal wedding ceremony at Windsor Castle two years later. The couple will celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary on May 19.

Over the years, both Harry and Meghan have spoken about their relationship in documentaries and interviews, with the prince highlighting his primary desire to protect his wife from the media intrusion and criticism that was experienced by his late mother, Princess Diana.

Fans have spotted moments at several high-profile events throughout their marriage where the duke and duchess exchanged public displays of affection and protective body language, including during the mourning events for the late Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.

These have been met with both praise and criticism, as was the case when the couple were spotted holding hands during the queen's lying-in-state service at Westminster Hall on September 14. Some critics accused the couple of showing disrespect, while fans praised their support for one another.

Uploaded to TikTok by user @czedits__fp__ on March 19, a second similar moment has been highlighted, with Harry's briefly placing his hand on his wife's back as she entered a car after the queen's state funeral going viral.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022. Footage of the couple attending Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral went viral on TikTok. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The clip shows Harry and Meghan outside Westminster Abbey, where Queen Elizabeth's state funeral was held on September 19, 2022, and where members of the extended royal family gathered with global heads of state and members of the public to pay tribute to her 70-year reign.

Meghan, dressed in a black Stella McCartney caped dress and a large hat, and Harry, in a morning suit with his military medals were caught on camera chatting to officials after the service before entering their car to take them to the next ceremony of the day.

Harry briefly guided his wife to the car by placing his hand on her back, in a gesture that has been viewed over 290,000 times on TikTok so far and received in excess of 17,000 likes and numerous comments—many of which have praised the royal couple.

"One thing about this man...he's gonna be protective over his wife," wrote one user. "Making sure she's good. She's safe. She's his priority."

"This is so good," wrote another, with a further user adding: "Love them."

James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.

Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.

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About the writer


James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more

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