When Meghan Markle joined the Royal Family, millions around the world expected a glamorous fairy tale.
But stepping into that world wasn’t quite what she signed up for—especially when it came to the rigid traditions of royal events like Trooping the Colour.
Her first time on the Buckingham Palace balcony in June 2018, just after returning from her honeymoon with Prince Harry, wasn’t just about smiling and waving.
It became a crash course in royal expectations.
Anxious Smiles and Nervous Glances
Though she appeared composed during the ceremony, a lip reader later revealed Meghan was whispering to Harry that she felt nervous.
He tried to reassure her with a smile and some guidance, explaining what to expect next: the flypast and the big moment when everyone looks up at the sky.
But Meghan’s anxiety was showing, even behind the polished exterior.
A Joke That Landed Flat
According to Prince Harry’s memoir Spare, the event took an awkward turn when Kate Middleton casually asked Meghan what she thought of the spectacle.
Unfortunately, that lighthearted comment was met with a tense silence—a moment Harry described as painfully awkward and telling of the dynamics at play.
Fast Forward to Today: A Royal Celebration Without the Sussexes
This year’s Trooping the Colour is a special one—it marks King Charles’s 75th birthday.
But notably absent from the balcony are Prince Harry, Meghan, and their children.
Following a BBC interview where Harry revealed he’s not on speaking terms with his father and cast doubt on the King’s health, the couple confirmed they wouldn’t be returning to the UK for the event.
The Strain of Royal Protocol
Meghan only attended Trooping the Colour twice—once in 2018 and again in 2019.
And both appearances sparked headlines.
Her first appearance stirred up criticism for her fashion choice: a blush pink off-the-shoulder Carolina Herrera dress, which broke with traditional, modest royal dress codes.
While other senior royals coordinated in powder blue, Meghan’s modern look made her stand out—and not in a way the Firm appreciated.
Her Final Balcony Appearance: A Diminished Presence
By 2019, Meghan had just given birth to Archie, and her return to the balcony that June seemed much more subdued.
Wearing a navy Givenchy dress and matching hat, she stood behind Harry, separated from him during the flypast.
Body language expert Judi James noted that Meghan appeared uneasy and isolated, as if she had “lost her wingman.”
When Meghan turned to speak to Harry, footage shows him replying briefly before sharply instructing her to “turn around”—a moment many found unnecessarily cold.
A Smile Would Have Gone a Long Way
Instead of comfort, Harry’s response came off as corrective.
Judi James commented that his raised eyebrow and impassive expression felt more like a reprimand than support, and Meghan’s face clearly showed the impact.
Her confident public persona seemed dimmed in that moment.
While she was likely just trying to follow protocol, a kind smile from her husband could have gone a long way.
Even Royal Kids Break the Rules Sometimes
It’s worth noting Meghan wasn’t the first or last to appear less than polished on that balcony.
Prince Louis, for example, has become known for his cheeky expressions—holding his ears during flyovers and even tugging on window cords.
Even young Harry once stuck his tongue out while in Princess Diana’s arms.
But unlike a royal child, Meghan’s missteps were seen as deliberate breaches, not innocent mistakes.
Style as a Statement
Meghan’s fashion choices were always a topic of public discussion—and not just because she looked great.
Royal watchers often interpreted her modern looks as statements of independence.
Etiquette expert Laura Windsor suggested Meghan didn’t just break dress codes—she used them to stand apart.
Her off-the-shoulder debut dress was, to some, a bold way of saying she’d be doing things differently.
Foreshadowing the Exit
In hindsight, those early signs—nervous glances, protocol clashes, bold fashion—seem like hints of what was to come.
By 2020, Meghan and Harry officially stepped down from their royal roles.
Their final balcony moment in 2019 marked the end of a very short-lived era.
Since then, their relationship with the Royal Family has only grown more complicated, making it unlikely we’ll see them at a future Trooping the Colour anytime soon.