Harry and Meghan's intimate gesture isn't breaking royal protocol, expert explains
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were seen holding hands as they walked out of Westminster Hall following a service for the Queen to mark the start of a period of lying in state.
And while the loving gesture was seen by some commentators as Prince Harry and Meghan 'breaking rank', others have stressed the couple were well within their right to do so.
The late monarch will lay in rest from Thursday to Sunday, before being farewelled in a state funeral on Monday September 19.
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Harry and Meghan hold hands at Westminster Hall. Getty
Speaking to The Daily Express body language expert Inbaal Honigman said the Sussexes are generally excused from royal protocol as they are not working members of the royal family.
"Harry and Meghan are grieving relatives and are under no obligation to follow royal protocol," he told the publication.
"Their hands are there to support one another emotionally during this loss."
READ MORE: Prince Harry and Meghan front and centre with fellow royals during Queen's coffin procession
Some claimed the Duke and Duchess 'broke ranks' with the gesture. AP
The PDA was not breaking royal protocol according to one expert. Getty
Royal commentator Judi James called the gesture "emotionally impulsive".
"Meghan and Harry do seem to break rank to hold hands at the end of the service," the body language expert told The Sun.
"It looks like an emotionally impulsive gesture, driven by a need to touch and unite again."
READ MORE: Harry and William's 'awful' reminder of Princess Diana's funeral during Queen's procession
Prince Harry appeared overcome with emotion as they gathered with fellow royals to receive the Queen's coffin following a procession from Buckingham Palace
Prince Harry appeared overcome with emotion during the ceremony. Getty
Kate and Meghan also appeared tearful as they, and other senior royals, filed in and out after the ceremony.
The Queen's coffin was transferred to the service on a gun carriage of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery at 2.22pm (11.22pm Wednesday AEST).
Following the coffin, King Charles led a group of senior royals including Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
Prince William and Prince Harry also joined the procession by foot in a second show of unity since they met with mourners outside Windsor Castle on Saturday.
The occasion marked the first time William and Catherine, and Harry and Meghan, had been together, in public, since the Commonwealth Day service in 2020.
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