In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle carried out their final engagement as working members of the royal family.
The couple attended the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey. However, what should have been a symbolic farewell turned into an awkward and emotional occasion.
According to reports at the time, Prince Harry even appeared close to tears during the ceremony.
Prince Harry snubbed by royal family at Commonwealth Day service
Harry and Meghan made a surprise appearance at the 2020 Commonwealth Day service after the order of service distributed before the ceremony did not list them among the attendees.
As a result, many observers were not expecting to see the couple there.
Reports later suggested that Harry and Meghan were “quite sensitive and emotional about it”.
Despite the tension, Meghan arrived looking striking in an emerald green outfit, while Harry appeared noticeably more subdued.
Royal author and historian Robert Lacey later wrote about the atmosphere at the service.
“Observers also noted that Harry’s face was ‘quite tense and unsmiling’ and that when William sat down close to him, he barely greeted his brother. Throughout the service, Meghan megawatted away with her best TV smile but, as the ceremony progressed, Harry appeared to grow gloomier.”
He continued: “According to one observer, ‘his accelerated blinking even suggested he might have been fighting back tears’.”
Shortly after that appearance, Harry and Meghan officially stepped back from royal duties.
The couple now live in Montecito, California, with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
A representative for the Sussexes has been contacted for comment.
BBC cancel royal family coverage as they attend the annual Commonwealth Day Service
Meanwhile, the royal family has faced its own unexpected development.
The BBC has cancelled its traditional live broadcast of the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey.
The ceremony had been shown live on the broadcaster since 1989.
Instead of airing the event this year, the channel scheduled an episode of Escape to the Country.
The BBC explained the decision in a statement.
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