The choice by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to leave Westminster Hall holding hands has split royal admirers.
While the pair came separately for Queen Elizabeth II’s procession — Markle in a vehicle and Harry walking beside brother Prince William — they stood together during the service.
Unlike King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla, and William and Kate Middleton, the couple walked out holding hands.
Many Twitter users praised Harry, 37, for his public expression of devotion during his grandmother’s funeral.
“Meghan and Harry have such a special and lovely relationship that no one can ever take away,” one individual exclaimed.
Another described the former actress, 41, as a “supporting wife” through her husband’s bereavement.
“Meghan and Harry are in love,” a third person added. “There is no reason for them to have to hide it!”
The Royal Family leaves Westminster Hall. pic.twitter.com/SlfylBosJa
— Royal Central (@RoyalCentral) September 14, 2022
Interestingly, royal family members are highly prohibited from displaying PDA, prompting many social media users to criticize the “violation.”
“They’re part of the parade,” said one. “Is it unreasonable to expect them to walk in their lane?” Even the horse could walk for 20 minutes or more in the same stance. But Meghan and Harry couldn’t keep the formation going until they got to the door?”
Another suggested that Markle lacked grace, saying, “I notice Meghan still couldn’t manage the full service without Harry.”
But Harry and Meghan weren’t the only ones holding hands. Zara Tindall, Princess Anne’s daughter, and her husband, Mike, were also clutching each other during the event.
Harry and Meghan are no strangers to causing controversy within the royal family. Nearly two years after their wedding, the pair declared their intention to stand down from their senior roles as members of the royal family.
The couple, who currently live in Montecito, California, with their son Archie, 3, and daughter Lilibet, 1, resigned from their positions in February 2021.
The next month, they came down for a shocking interview with Oprah Winfrey, where they discussed the “Suits” alum’s suicide thoughts and an anonymous family member’s anxiety over Archie’s skin hue.
At the time, Harry also told Winfrey that he was working to “repair” his connection with Charles, 73, after his father supposedly “stopped accepting” his calls.
In April 2021, the former military pilot returned to the United Kingdom for the first time.
He returned two months later with Markle and their children to honor Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee.
The pair were attending charitable activities in Europe earlier this month when the late monarch died at the age of 96 in Balmoral, Scotland.
Harry traveled to Her Majesty’s bedside alone at first, pretending to come after her death. On Saturday, Markle reunited with her husband and in-laws to pay respect to Queen Elizabeth.
