Prince Harry and Meghan Markle presented a united front throughout much of their headline-making Netflix documentary, but a moment where the Duchess appeared to mock royal protocol reportedly left the Duke visibly uncomfortable. The scene, analysed by a body language expert, shows a rare public sign of Harry's disapproval towards his wife's actions.
A Joke That Crossed the Line
The pivotal moment occurred in the second episode of the six-part series, Harry & Meghan, released by Netflix in two instalments starting on 8 December 2022. Meghan, the former Suits actress, recounted the "surreal" experience of meeting the late Queen Elizabeth II for the first time for lunch at Royal Lodge in Windsor.
She prefaced her story by saying, "Americans will understand this..." before comparing the formal occasion to a visit to America's 'Medieval Times', a themed dinner attraction featuring staged jousting and games. As she spoke, she performed a deeply exaggerated, comedic curtsey.
Body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail that Meghan's "mocking tone" implied royal protocol was "comedy rather than part of the culture of the country." James noted that the Duchess held up a hand to Prince Harry as she began her quip, a signal of "exclusion" indicating the joke was proceeding with or without him.
Harry's Visible Discomfort and 'Disassociation'
While Meghan recounted the tale with animated excitement, Prince Harry's reaction told a different story. Footage shows the Duke watching on with a stone-faced, 'royal deadpan' expression before glancing awkwardly away from the camera.
According to Judi James, Harry initially attempted subtle, silent signals of disapproval, including a prolonged stare, but Meghan "refused to take the hint." The expert stated the crucial moment came when Meghan used a high-pitched, comedic voice to say "Pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty."
"This is when she appears to 'summon the mind's eye image of the late Queen being on the receiving end of this mimicry'," James said. It was at this point that Harry "mustered the courage to perform an act of open disassociation" by looking down and away, a clear sign of his embarrassment.
James explained that the only time Meghan acknowledged Harry during the anecdote was with an "immature, girlish side-eye" at the end, suggesting she was being "childishly naughty."
Netflix Deal Downgraded After Mixed Success
The documentary was part of the couple's original $100 million deal with Netflix, which has since been significantly downgraded. While Harry & Meghan became the platform's most-viewed documentary in 2022, their subsequent projects failed to replicate its success.
In August 2023, their lucrative multi-year contract was revised to a 'first-look' agreement, understood to be worth considerably less. PR expert Mark Borkowski described it as a "downgrade," suggesting the pair are now likely paid per project selected by Netflix rather than receiving an overall fee.
Since the deal changed, their Archewell Productions has released new seasons of Meghan's lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan. A Christmas special featuring guests like Naomi Osaka and Tom Colicchio was branded 'sensationally absurd and trite' by some critics, receiving poor ratings.
The awkward moment captured in their documentary remains a stark illustration of the cultural clashes and personal tensions that have defined the Sussexes' journey since their paths first crossed in 2016, through their marriage and their dramatic exit as senior royals in 2020.
