Prince Harry went out of his way to make Meghan Markle feel comfortable at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral on Monday amid their strained relationship with the royal family.
“I noticed how supportive Harry Meghan was,” fellow guest Pranav Bhanot told People after the service. “As they went their separate ways after the ceremony, he gave her a firm squeeze. I felt he wanted to make sure she was comfortable.”
Bhanot added that he could feel the support the Duke of Sussex offered his wife.
“You saw the reassurance Harry gave Meghan in moments when they walked together and had to go in different directions,” he said.
Harry, 38, and Markle, 41, walked behind his estranged brother, Prince William, and the Prince of Wales’s wife, Kate Middleton, during the funeral procession at Westminster Abbey in London.
But Harry and Markle, who retired from their royal duties in 2020 and moved to California, were seemingly frowned upon with second-row seats during the service itself. The front row was reserved for King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, as well as heir apparent William, Middleton and their children Prince George, 9, and Princess Charlotte, 7.
To make matters worse, the front row also sat disgraced Prince Andrew and Zara Tindall, who is not a working royal.
The funeral was clearly emotional for the “Suits” alum, who had shed a tear as he mourned the loss of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
Despite her grief, body language expert and author Judi James exclusively told Vidak For Congress that Markle offered her husband “quiet support” during the ceremony.
The couple’s outfits also made headlines. Harry wore a morning suit because he was not allowed to put on his military uniform after he resigned from the royal family. Meanwhile, Markle honored the Queen in a cape dress that mirrored the dress she wore to celebrate the monarch’s birthday in 2018. She also wore a pair of pearl and diamond earrings given to her by the Queen.
Harry and Markle have been spending time with William and Middleton, both 40, since the news broke that the Queen died on September 8 at the age of 96, including for a walk outside Windsor Castle on September 10 after William left his brother and sister-in-law.
The meeting was significant as it marked the first time the foursome had gathered in public for Commonwealth Day since March 2020.
Twitter users have praised Harry for his support of Markle, who has largely been criticized by the British media. Harry was praised for opening the car door for Markle, while William Middleton left Middleton to herself as they mourned the Queen with flowers.
The foursome also joined other royals to receive the queen’s coffin, and Vidak For Congress reported that the brothers dined with their respective wives that evening.
However, Harry and Markel were not invited to a pre-funeral reception for the family.
Markle has yet to make a statement about the Queen’s death, but Harry shared: “I cherish these times I shared with you, and the many other special moments in between. You are already sorely missed.”