Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has opened up about her initial ignorance regarding British social norms and the unexpected impact her behavior had on the royal family.
In the Netflix docuseries “Harry and Meghan,” she candidly confessed to being a hugger, oblivious to the fact that physical contact with strangers is generally frowned upon in British culture.
Reflecting on her first encounter with the royal family, Meghan recalled a memorable moment when she met Kate Middleton for the first time.
“I was in ripped jeans, barefoot.
Like, I was a hugger.
I have always been a hugger,” she shared.
However, it wasn’t until then that she realized how jarring her affectionate nature could be for many Brits.
She began to comprehend that the formality projected by the British people extended beyond mere appearances.
Prince Harry also chimed in, sharing his own recollections of the same incident in his memoir, “Spare.”
He revealed that his brother, Prince William, was taken aback by Meghan’s physical contact during their initial meeting at Frogmore Cottage.
“William was a bit dressed up in smart clothing.
I introduced Meg, who leaned in and gave him a hug, which completely freaked him out.
He recoiled,” Harry explained.
It was unusual for William to embrace someone he didn’t know, but for Meghan, it was perfectly normal.
Harry humorously added, “Maybe Willie expected Meg to curtsy.
It would have been protocol when meeting a member of the royal family for the first time, but she didn’t know, and I didn’t tell her.”
This wasn’t the only instance where Meghan found herself unsure of the appropriate behavior.
On their visit to Windsor Castle in 2016, Harry had to remind her to curtsy for the Queen.
Recounting the incident, Meghan shared, “We were in the car, driving, and Harry’s like, ‘You know how to curtsy, right?’
And I just thought it was a joke.”
Harry, on the other hand, was faced with the challenge of explaining this unique tradition to his American wife.
“How do you explain that you bow to your grandmother?