When Meghan Markle made her first public appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony for Trooping the Colour in 2018, the world eagerly watched the newlywed royal couple.
But behind the waving and formalities, a small exchange between Prince Harry and Meghan caught the attention of lip readers—and has now sparked conversations all over again thanks to a Channel 5 documentary.
Lip Readers Break Down the Royals’ Private Conversations
The programme, Lip-Reading the Royals, dives into silent moments during major royal events, attempting to decode what’s being said when the microphones are off.
From iconic moments like Charles and Diana’s wedding to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, lip-reading experts analyzed the royals’ facial expressions and mouth movements to uncover what really went on behind the scenes.
One particular highlight was the 2018 Trooping the Colour, shortly after Harry and Meghan tied the knot at Windsor Castle.
As Meghan stood on the balcony for the first time, Prince Harry was seen talking her through the royal flypast.
According to expert Nicola Hickling, he used hand gestures while explaining that military planes—the Paras—would soon fly overhead.
Meghan reportedly responded with a simple, “OK.”
“Mansplaining” or Just Being Helpful?
Not everyone viewed Harry’s explanation as helpful. Royal commentator Cristo Foufas questioned whether the prince was “mansplaining” the event to Meghan.
“Is this Harry being clueless and assuming Meghan doesn’t understand planes?” he mused.
“Or is Meghan acting like she needs the explanation so he feels useful?”
He also jokingly added, “That won’t last,” suggesting a shift in power dynamics within their relationship over the years.
Meghan’s Growing Role in the Relationship
Experts observing the Sussexes’ public appearances have long noted Meghan’s confidence.
Body language analyst Judi James pointed out that Meghan often appears to lead their joint outings.
One example? Their unofficial tour of Colombia last year, where Harry looked more like a “plus one” than an equal partner.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams also weighed in, stating that Harry still seems to be finding his footing since moving to the U.S. and stepping away from royal duties.
It’s a transition that has played out publicly, and sometimes awkwardly.
A Tense Conversation at a Somber Event?
The documentary didn’t stop at Trooping the Colour.
It also highlighted what seemed to be a tense moment between the couple during the 2018 Remembrance Sunday ceremony.
According to lip readers, Meghan appeared to tell Harry to “take advantage of the situation.”
When Harry responded with “Today?” she allegedly said, “Do it tonight.”
He then followed up with, “You do realise this is the end?” to which she replied, “Yeah, I do know.”
The mysterious tone of that exchange has raised questions about whether the pair were already discussing stepping back from royal duties just six months into their marriage.
The Sussexes Under Fire Again from Satirical Shows
As the documentary aired, American animated sitcom Family Guy once again took a jab at the couple.
In a recent episode, the show’s characters listed historical low points and, alongside Hitler and the Crusades, tossed in Harry and Meghan’s marriage.
The prince is shown reacting with a tired “Again?” before clapping back at the audience’s wives.
This isn’t new territory for the controversial cartoon.
Back in 2023, the Sussexes were mocked for cashing in on their Netflix deal without offering much in return.
The show painted them as lazy opportunists, stoking the fire around the public perception of their post-royal lives.
Behind Closed Doors: Efforts to Rebuild Family Ties
Despite the drama playing out on screen, there are quiet efforts to repair relationships behind the scenes.
According to The Mail on Sunday, aides close to both King Charles and Prince Harry have been meeting in secret in an attempt to mend the long-standing rift.
A discreet gathering recently took place at the Royal Over-Seas League in London—just a short walk from Clarence House.
The meeting included Meredith Maines, Harry’s head of communications in Montecito, and Tobyn Andreae, King Charles’s media secretary.
Also in attendance was Liam Maguire, the Sussexes’ UK-based PR advisor.
One insider described the session as informal: “There was no agenda—just drinks and conversation. Both sides had things they wanted to say.”
While there’s no guarantee of a full reconciliation, the fact that there’s now open communication is a step toward healing a strained royal relationship.
What’s Next?
As the Sussexes continue to navigate their lives in the spotlight—from animated roasts to palace balcony whispers—one thing is certain: their story continues to evolve, with the world watching every step of the way.
Whether they’ll fully rebuild ties with the royal family or carve out an entirely separate legacy remains to be seen.