It was the end of an era. Prince Harry, accompanied by wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, carried out his final engagement as a senior member of the royal family last week.
But what was undoubtedly a poignant occasion for the prince unfortunately also appeared to be an extremely awkward and uncomfortable one.
As he attended the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey with his family for the last time, Harry (35) looked pensive and ill at ease. His interactions with brother Prince William and sister-in-law Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, were described as frosty and strained too.
But royal insiders are divided over whether Harry’s demeanour was due to the fact that he was desperate to get the event out of the way so he can get on with his new life in Canada with Meghan (38) and their son Archie (10 months), or whether he was actually extremely emotional about leaving the role he was born into.
“Harry looked like he really didn’t want to be there,” says one observer. “It could have been this was a tricky time for him, and perhaps it was sinking in that this really was the end of his royal life, at least as he has always known it. He could have been overwhelmed by it all.
“But it looked more like he couldn’t wait to get it over and done with.”
Royal biographer Robert Hardman described Harry as distracted and subdued. “It was a case of grin and bear it.”
In a striking green Emilia Wickstead dress, Meghan, by contrast, was poised and sported a megawatt smile.
“The duchess beamed away all afternoon, to the point of facial exhaustion,” says Robert.
Another commentator believes Meghan looked as though she was drawing on all her acting skills to give the impression that the occasion wasn’t the trial it surely must have been.
Denne historien er fra March 23, 2020-utgaven av New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 23, 2020-utgaven av New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The perfect GETAWAY
From lengthy airport clinches to party ghosting, Michéle examines goodbyes
Message in a BOTTLE
Kevin makes a discovery in his shed that piques his detective skills
Empowered & thriving! PERFECT AT ANY AGE
Weekly editor Marilynn bravely shares her bold new approach to living her best life at 50 and beyond
Nature goals FIND YOUR GREEN SPACE
From stressed to refreshed! Lifestyle medicine practitioner Dr Jenny Brockis shares the simple steps you should adopt to give your wellbeing a boost
Nature & the city KELLY & MARLEY'S WILD PROJECT
The podcaster’s eyes have been opened to a new way of life
TikTok star Paris 'I'M BRINGING OUR KAI TO THE WORLD
After a tough start to motherhood, the foodie tells how she reclaimed her life
Love and the city! WENDYL'S CHANGE OF HEART
After a decade in the country, she’s given up the good life to return home
New TV star Andy 'I THOUGHT BEIN AN ALL BLACK WAS TOUGH!' Кро
It was a big shift channelling his talent into the hit show Moving Houses, but the sporting legend is a natural
Babies and beyond! INES HEALS BRAD'S HEART
The actor is embracing life with his zero-drama’ partner
Spreading the joy SIR ASHLEY'S KINDNESS CLUB
The Kiwi health legend is taking a jab at teaching kids important life skills