Hey there, royal watchers! Have you ever noticed how Prince William and Kate Middleton tend to keep things pretty formal during public events? They rarely hold hands or show public displays of affection. But now that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are officially engaged, it’s been a different story. They’ve been all smiles, hand-holding, and even a kiss or two in front of the cameras. So, why the double standard? Stick with me because this gets fascinating.
Thankfully, Harper’s Bazaar Australia has stepped in to break it all down for us. They’ve explained why Harry and Meghan can be so affectionate in public, while William and Kate keep things more low-key. There’s a lot more to this than you might think, and it’s all about roles, responsibilities, and the unique situations each couple finds themselves in.
Harry and Meghan’s Affection Happens Off-Duty
Let’s dive into the first big reason why Kate and William are more reserved. It’s simple: they’re just being professional. As Myka Meier, a royal etiquette expert, once explained, “There’s no official rule that says they can’t show affection, but when they’re on official tours or trips, they’re technically working for the British Monarchy. They’re there to represent the Crown, so they tend to keep things professional and avoid public displays of affection.”
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Now, when Harry and Meghan were seen holding hands and cuddling during the Invictus Games in late September, they had a bit of a loophole. Why? Because Harry was technically "off duty" during those moments. When he was opening the Games or meeting with officials, he was in work mode. But when he was just watching games with Meghan, he was relaxing. And Meghan, who wasn’t yet an official royal, was there for leisure, not business. This made all the difference, as explained by Harper’s Bazaar Australia journalist Mahalia Chang. Isn’t that interesting?
Kate and William in India in April 2016. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Visibility Plays a Big Role
Another thing to keep in mind is that Kate and William have been married for over six years now. They’re a well-established couple, and they regularly attend official royal events together. Harry and Meghan, on the other hand, are relatively new to the scene. They’ve only just started making their public appearances as a couple. Plus, William and Kate are preparing to take on the monarchy as King and Queen of England one day, while Harry is sixth in line to the throne. That means Harry has a bit more flexibility when it comes to showing affection in public, especially during their engagement photo shoot.
Harry and Meghan Have More to Prove
Now, here’s the thing: the world has been captivated by Kate and William’s love story since the early 2000s. They’ve been happily married for years and are about to become parents of three. They don’t need to constantly remind everyone how much they love each other. Meghan, however, is new to the royal family. When she and Harry first stepped out at the Invictus Games, they wanted to show the world that their relationship is serious and real. That’s why you saw them holding hands, cuddling, and even sharing a kiss. It was all about making a statement.
