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During the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s engagement, the couple were not afraid to be seen showing affection towards one another.
Photos of the pair at the Invictus Games in 2017 captured their closeness despite being on view to thousands of people.
The pair arrived hand in hand to watch wheelchair tennis on day three of the games.
The royal couple could also be seen cuddling up together at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Toronto.
Meghan and Harry are often more affectionate towards each other during public appearances than William and Kate.
There have only been a handful of occasions in which the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been seen in public holding hands.
Is there a royal protocol that prevents public displays of affection?
Royal etiquette expert Myka Meier told People: “While Prince Harry and Meghan holding hands is atypical for royal engagements, it is a seemingly welcomed gesture to show unity and celebration of their engagement period.
“There is no protocol that says they cannot show affection on official engagements, and this gesture makes them relatable and lovable to the public.”
Despite there being no ban on public displays of affection, the younger royals may be following unwritten royal protocol to not display affection publicly.
Body language expert Robin Kermode said: “The Queen rarely holds hands with her husband in public and this seems to have set an unwritten precedent for the other royals.”
Prince William and Kate have paid close attention to the unwritten rule, having been seen to hold hands on only a few occasions.
Mr Kermode said of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s public relationship: “It is very clear that William and Kate are emotionally close, however, they do not seem to feel the need to prove their love – particularly when on official state business.”
Sandringham Christmas Day service was an exception, with the Duke of Cambridge arriving hand in hand with the Duchess.
Another exception was the day after William and Kate wed when they left for their honeymoon hand in hand.
As Meghan and Harry exit their honeymoon period, there may be less and less public displays of affection.
They have previously been unafraid to hold hands or walk arm in arm at public engagements.
However, Meghan who has not grown up with the royal rules and protocols may have to adjust to a less affectionate public life.
At the Queen’s Young Leaders Awards, a clip circulating online appears to show Harry and Meghan almost holding hands but then stopping themselves.
This was perhaps due to being in the presence of the Queen.
It may also be a sign that the newest married royals are beginning to follow in older brother William and sister-in-law Kate’s footsteps.
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