Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'snubbed' in last ever royal engagement

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly “snubbed” at the last-ever royal engagement (Image: Getty Images)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly “snubbed” at their last-ever royal engagement.

In 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were seen walking hand-in-hand into Westminster Abbey for their last-ever scheduled royal engagement after announcing that they were stepping down as working royals.

While attending the service four years ago, a last-minute seating arrangement change saw the Sussexes skipping their expected place alongside the late Queen Elizabeth II in the formal procession into the Commonwealth Day service.

The couple were instead seated in the second row during the televised event. Harry and Meghan were seen chatting and laughing with Prince Edward and his wife, Duchess Sophie, who were seated next to them.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were seated on the second row (Image: Getty Images)

Meghan dressed in a vibrant green ensemble complete with a hat and cape, smiled eagerly as Prince William entered alongside his wife Princess Kate, who looked equally striking in all red.

Initially, William and Kate seemed to avoid making eye contact, but TV footage later showed Harry silently mouthing "hello" at his reportedly estranged brother while Meghan smiled and offered a small wave.

This was the first public appearance of the brothers since Harry's surprising announcement that he was stepping back from royal duties, a decision long speculated to have been influenced by a rift with Prince William.

After the bombshell announcement by Prince Harry, only Charles, Prince of Wales at the time, and his wife Camilla, accompanied his mother Queen Elizabeth.

Neither Kensington Palace nor Buckingham Palace have said why the late amendment was made, the Daily Telegraph said.

Robert Lacey, author of ‘Battle of Brothers’ claimed that the Sussexes were expecting to proceed into the church behind Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, and William.

He claimed that the decision to leave them out left Harry “fighting back tears”.

In the book, Mr Lacey wrote: "In 2018 and 2019, Harry and Meghan had walked down the aisle in the main procession.

"But, in 2020, they were being shunted aside on their final appearance as working royals in Britain.

"As now glaringly 'junior' members of the family, the Sussexes would simply have to shuffle their way to their seats and take their place on the sidelines.

"The subservience of a 'spare' could not have been more strikingly illustrated."