Now that Prince William and Prince Harry are both happily married – to Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, respectively – fans have gotten the chance over the past few months to see the Royal foursome at many grand events. But, have you ever wondered why Kate Middleton always stands in front of Meghan Markle?
According to Royal expert and managing editor of Majesty magazine, Joe Little, Middleton is always in front of Markle because of royal rules and protocol. These rules also dictate that William and Kate walk in front of Harry and Meghan because there is a “pecking order.”
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When Meghan made her first appearance as a member of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony during last summer’s Trooping the Guard, Little explained that there are numerous protocols for public appearances.
“She [Markle] was not as prominent perhaps as some people might have expected, but there’s a pecking order,” said Little. “There was no slight intended, but William being the older, more senior brother would go out [first] with his wife.”
Little added that the Royals stand on ceremony, and the least important members of the family arrive first and the most important appear last. This is standard protocol that applies to every member of the family. So, after Meghan, Harry, Kate, and William arrive at an event, they would be followed by Prince Charles and then Queen Elizabeth.
This rule has been around for decades, and the royal family always follows it – with one exception. When Prime Minister Winston Churchill passed away, Queen Elizabeth allowed his family to arrive after her at his state funeral.
So, royal fans, Kate always standing in front of Meghan has nothing to do with a feud. It’s all about Royal rules. But that doesn’t mean something isn’t up between the sisters-in-law. For months, rumors have swirled about problems in Kensington Palace, and each week there seems to be something new to add fuel to the fire.
In the new TLC show Kate v. Meghan: Princesses at War?, royal expert Katie Nicholl says that all of this began when William gave Harry some advice that didn’t go over well. Apparently, William was concerned about how fast Harry and Meghan’s relationship was moving.
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Nicholl says that the well-intended advice bothered Harry, who is “hugely protective of Meghan.” He took William’s words as criticism and felt that his brother wasn’t behind the marriage. Ever since that conversation, things haven’t “been quite right.”
Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton have not commented on the rumors surrounding their feud.
