When Meghan Markle first joined the Royal Family as the Duchess of Sussex, all eyes were on her every move.
One of her earliest and most scrutinized public appearances came less than a month after her wedding, during the 2018 Trooping the Colour celebrations.
The newlyweds had just returned from their Mediterranean honeymoon when Meghan stepped onto the Buckingham Palace balcony for the very first time—an appearance that would go on to generate endless speculation.
The Princess Charlotte Moment
During the festivities, a brief clip showed little Princess Charlotte stumbling before Kate Middleton swiftly scooped her up.
In the background, Meghan appeared to laugh, sparking online chatter about whether she was amused by the fall.
Some critics even accused her of showing a “mean girl” attitude, linking the moment to ongoing rumors about tension with Kate after the infamous bridesmaid dress incident.
However, body language expert Judi James suggested the interpretation might be unfair.
According to her, Meghan was actually mid-conversation with Camilla and Harry, smiling as part of the group’s lighthearted exchange.
James explained that sometimes a smile in such situations is actually a way of showing empathy and calm, rather than mockery.
Nervous but Holding It Together
Lip readers later revealed that Meghan wasn’t as composed as she looked.
At one point, Harry quietly checked in, asking if she was okay. Meghan admitted she was “nervous,” flashing a smile to keep the moment light.
Harry reassured her, promising to explain more once the flypast was over.
That first balcony moment was understandably high-pressure for Meghan—under the global spotlight, standing beside royals who had years of experience at such events.
A Joke That Fell Flat
In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry recalled how the atmosphere shifted after Kate casually asked Meghan what she thought of her first Trooping the Colour.
Meghan responded with a quick joke—“Colourful”—but the attempt at humor reportedly landed awkwardly, followed by what Harry described as a silence “that threatened to swallow us whole.”
Breaking with Tradition
One of the biggest talking points from Meghan’s debut wasn’t just her smile or her nerves—it was her outfit.
She chose an off-the-shoulder Carolina Herrera dress in blush pink, paired with a Philip Treacy hat.
While elegant, the look broke from the unspoken royal fashion code, which usually leans conservative with covered shoulders and muted palettes.
That day, the Queen, Camilla, and Kate all appeared in coordinated shades of powder blue, highlighting Meghan’s difference even more.
For some insiders, Meghan’s choice was seen as more than just fashion—it was a quiet statement that she wasn’t going to fully play by traditional royal rules.
The Shadow of the Bridesmaid Row
The tension between Meghan and Kate had already been bubbling in the background.
Early reports suggested Meghan had made Kate cry during a row over bridesmaid dresses for her wedding.
Meghan later corrected the narrative during her Oprah interview, saying it was actually the other way around, though she acknowledged Kate later apologized and even sent her flowers.
Still, those early tabloid claims colored the way Meghan’s every gesture was interpreted—including her balcony debut.
No More Balcony Appearances
Meghan only ever attended Trooping the Colour twice—2018 and 2019.
By 2023, Harry wasn’t even invited, with the Palace clarifying that only working royals would take part.
This marked the first year Harry had been excluded entirely, a move royal insiders described as “significant.”
Royal experts noted that, after the couple stepped back from their roles, officials had originally stressed they would still be welcome at certain family occasions. That door now seems firmly closed.
Hopes for a Future Reconciliation
While the Sussexes are unlikely to appear on the Palace balcony anytime soon, whispers of private peace talks have fueled speculation of a thaw in relations.
With the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham on the horizon, some observers believe there’s still a chance for the Royal Family and the Sussexes to mend their fractured ties.
