00:00Meghan Markle took center stage at her first official royal event by stepping ahead of Prince Harry and ignoring protocol.
00:07Just a month before their royal wedding, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made a surprise joint appearance at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London.
00:15Traditionally, fiancés are not included in such high-profile events before marriage, but Meghan was already stepping into the spotlight as Harry's partner.
00:23According to body language experts, the event gave the first clear glimpse of their dynamic as a couple.
00:29Meghan was confident, self-assured, and willing to lead, while Harry appeared to defer to her, even when protocol suggested he should have taken the lead himself.
00:38At one point, Meghan moved slightly ahead of Harry to greet delegates, causing a small bump as Harry tried to step forward at the same time.
00:45Instead of asserting himself, Harry immediately stepped back, apologized, and allowed Meghan to take control.
00:51This subtle moment became the first public example of Meghan breaking from traditional royal expectations,
00:57and Harry showing that he was willing to support her, even if it meant challenging centuries of protocol.
01:03Experts claimed Meghan Markle was introducing Prince Harry to non-royal etiquette instead of the other way around.
01:09According to analyst Judy James, this first appearance together flipped royal expectations upside down.
01:15Normally, the royal spouse is expected to learn from their royal partner and adapt to established customs.
01:20Instead, James said it appeared Meghan was guiding Harry into a new type of social interaction.
01:26She described the moment as green shoots of Meghan, inducting Harry into the etiquette of non-royal life.
01:32Harry, who had spent his life as the cheeky but disciplined prince of the monarchy,
01:36suddenly seemed less assured when paired with Meghan's Hollywood polish and natural charisma.
01:41Meghan, by contrast, moved with ease, sliding into group conversations, retaining attention,
01:47and using animated gestures to signal engagement.
01:51For Harry, it was an adjustment.
01:52His years of military discipline and royal formality were no match for Meghan's performer's instinct.
01:58Far from being a nervous bride-to-be, Meghan appeared entirely comfortable taking center stage,
02:03while Harry showed signs of nervousness.
02:05Etiquette experts noted Prince Harry should have gone first,
02:08but praised his deference to Meghan as a chivalrous gesture.
02:11The clash between protocol and modern expectations was highlighted by etiquette expert William Hansen.
02:18From a strict royal standpoint, Harry should have gone first,
02:21since Meghan was not yet his wife and therefore his consort.
02:25But Hansen noted that from the perspective of modern chivalry,
02:28it was perfectly acceptable, even admirable, for Harry to let Meghan lead.
02:33His willingness to step back and allow her to shine showed that he valued her presence
02:37and was ready to break with rigid formality.
02:40Still, it was clear to royal observers that the couple were already rewriting expectations.
02:46Harry was supposed to be the experienced royal guiding his future wife
02:49through the traditions of the monarchy.
02:52But instead, he looked like the one taking cues from Meghan.
02:55For those watching closely, the seeds of the Sussexes' unconventional approach to royal life
03:00were already visible.
03:02Meghan Markle's social confidence outshone Prince Harry's nervous energy
03:07during their first royal event together.
03:09While Meghan moved fluidly through conversations, Harry appeared noticeably anxious.
03:14Judy James observed that his rapid blinking, lip movements,
03:18and even his habit of clasping one wrist with the other were signs of uncertainty.
03:23At several points, Meghan stepped smoothly in front of Harry to greet groups,
03:27even raising her hand in a subtle signal to stop him from stepping ahead.
03:31Harry immediately obeyed, ushering her forward with a gallant gesture.
03:35Meghan's body language projected authority, raised brows, open gestures, and immersive conversation
03:42techniques, while Harry often stood slightly behind, sometimes with his hand in his pocket,
03:48as if content to let her command the spotlight.
03:51For Meghan, who had years of red carpet and television experience, such moments came naturally.
03:56For Harry, the adjustment to being in his wife's shadow was just beginning.
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