Meghan Markle leans forward in the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, performing an exaggerated curtsey she says she gave Queen Elizabeth II at their first meeting. Prince Harry sits beside her, silent, his expression unchanging as cameras roll. Three years on, this fleeting moment from December 2022 continues to fuel debate among body language experts, who pore over Harry’s nonverbal signals amid discussions of royal protocol and family tensions.
Anniversary Scrutiny
The scene resurfaced with fresh analysis on its three-year mark in December 2025. Body language specialist Judi James described Meghan’s reenactment as carrying a mocking tone, noting her words: “I just thought it was a joke…right?” James suggested this framed royal protocol as comedy rather than cultural tradition. Harry’s silence and fixed face drew particular attention, interpreted by some as discomfort, though he offered no verbal response during filming.
Docuseries Background
The six-part Harry & Meghan series launched on Netflix on December 8, 2022, after the couple stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to North America. It provided rare glimpses into their lives, including reflections on encounters with Queen Elizabeth II. Filmed with little apparent editing, the production captured raw exchanges that invited global scrutiny from experts and observers, amplifying private moments into public discourse.
The Curtsey Reenactment
Meghan recounted arriving at Royal Lodge moments before meeting the Queen, unaware of the encounter. She demonstrated a deep, theatrical curtsey, likening the protocol to a “Medieval Times dinner and tournament”—an American venue with staged medieval combats and costumes. Harry remained present and quiet throughout, his jaw set in footage viewed by millions. No interruption occurred; the segment played out uninterrupted.
Expert Interpretations
Analysts diverged on Harry’s demeanor. Judi James saw embarrassment in his posture. Jesús Enrique Rosas noted a clenched jaw signaling contempt or hidden anger. Nicole Moore observed Harry’s enthusiasm waning as the reenactment extended. These views stem from nonverbal analysis, not Harry’s stated feelings—he has not commented publicly on his reaction. Similarly, labels like “disrespectful” for Meghan’s gesture come from commentators, not the royal family, which has stayed silent.
Fact Versus Speculation
Documented elements are clear: Meghan’s exaggerated gesture, her dinner theater comparison, and Harry’s unbroken silence. Interpretations vary—silence might signal disapproval, allowance for her story, or detachment. Royal protocol requires curtseys to monarchs, a tradition Meghan, an American, first encountered in 2016 when she met the Queen. Her reenactment, years later, could reflect outsider humor, self-mockery of her learning curve, or critique of formality. Without personal clarification, such readings remain open.
Separate Developments
Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand faced trademark obstacles from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in August 2024, leading to a rebrand as “As Ever” announced in early 2025. This business matter postdates the docuseries and lacks palace explanation. Meghan’s estrangement from father Thomas Markle, ongoing since pre-2018 wedding, adds family context but invites unverified links to royal dynamics.
Ongoing Implications
This moment underscores tensions between tradition and transparency in a social media era. Harry’s and Meghan’s choice to film intimate royal anecdotes marks a generational pivot, challenging protocols amid public fascination. As interpretations layer atop facts—from expert takes to media narratives—the divide between evidence and inference persists, shaping perceptions of their choices and the monarchy’s future adaptability.
Sources
Netflix Harry & Meghan documentary series, December 8, 2022
Daily Mail body language expert analysis, December 8, 2025
The Mirror body language and royal correspondent reports, 2025
The List body language expert analysis, 2025
BBC News royal coverage and ceremony documentation, 2022–2025
The Guardian royal family reporting, 2022