Emotional Moment Marked Harry and Meghan’s Final Royal Engagement Before Stepping Down
The Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, one of the most significant royal events, took a somber turn for Prince Harry during what would become his and Meghan Markle’s final engagement as senior royals in 2020. Though many senior members of the royal family were present, including Queen Camilla and Prince William, the absence of King Charles and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, was notable as they were occupied with other duties.
Harry reportedly struggled with feelings of isolation and emotional strain during the event, particularly after he and Meghan were excluded from the main royal procession. In contrast, official documents indicated that William and Kate would enter alongside the main royal party, leaving Harry and Meghan feeling overlooked. This slight led to tensions, with Harry appearing visibly strained.
According to Battle of Brothers author Robert Lacey, while Meghan maintained her characteristic "megawatt" smile throughout the service, Harry’s demeanour grew increasingly gloomy. Observers noted that his face was "tense and unsmiling," and some suggested that his rapid blinking indicated he was "fighting back tears."
Reflecting on the experience, Harry later admitted the event had felt "cold" both emotionally and physically. It was the first time the couple had seen many of the royal family members since their extended stay in Canada and the announcement of their decision to step down as senior royals. Harry remarked that the situation felt like a "soap opera," with the public watching their every move, adding to his sense of distance from his family.
This poignant event would mark the end of Harry and Meghan’s royal duties before their official departure from the Firm in January 2020.
