From the beginning, the royal couple faced skepticism regarding their relationship. In his memoir, “Spare,” Prince Harry recounted the moment he introduced Markle to his family in 2016.

He shared that his father, King Charles III, initially liked her, but his brother, Prince William, was more reserved, and reportedly referred to Markle as “an American actress.”

Although the Duke of Sussex didn’t name specific individuals, he suggested that other royal family members were also uncomfortable.

In a January 2023 interview, Prince Harry reflected on his wife’s early unfavorable encounters with his family, saying, “Right from the beginning, before they even had a chance to get to know her. And the U.K. press jumped on that. And here we are.”

Asked if that was because of mistrust, the royal explained, “The fact that she was American, an actress, divorced, Black, biracial with a Black mother. Those were just four of the typical stereotypes that is– becomes a feeding frenzy for the British press.”

Despite the initial negative reception, Prince Harry didn’t let it stop him from moving forward with his relationship with Markle. He proposed in 2017, and the two exchanged vows in May 2018. The following year, in May 2019, they welcomed their first child, son Prince Archie.

A year later, in January 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made headlines when they revealed their intention to step down from their roles as “senior” members of the royal family and focus on becoming financially independent.

“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” the statement read.

They also shared their plans to split their time between the UK and North America. Notably, it was reported that neither Queen Elizabeth II nor Prince William had been consulted before the announcement, leading to disappointment within Buckingham Palace. Senior royals were said to feel “hurt” by the couple’s decision.

The pair later welcomed their second child, daughter Princess Lilibet, in June 2021. Since stepping away, Prince Harry and Markle’s relationship has faced increased scrutiny from both the media and the public. The Duchess, in particular, became noticeably absent from public life in England.

Markle accompanied Prince Harry to the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 but has since not returned to his homeland, even opting to miss King Charles III’s coronation.

Moreover, Prince Harry has been stepping out alone more frequently, with solo trips to New York and the UK in September 2024, including attending a charity event without Markle. Biographer Phil Dampier noted that the prince, now 40, seems to be searching for a new purpose and is eager to find causes that bring more meaning to his life.

“Harry sometimes feels like a spare part and he often looks unhappy when he’s out with Meghan at events in California,” said the author. While Markle prefers to stay in California, her spouse appears to be embracing more independent ventures.

While Prince Harry’s solo appearances have drawn attention and sparked conversations, his public interactions with Markle have not gone unnoticed. Their dynamic continues to be a point of interest.

The Duchess is often seen showing affection toward the Duke in public, whether holding his hand or gently placing a hand on his back. According to body language expert Judi James, this frequent physical touch carries deeper significance for the couple.

Markle uses various forms of touch to communicate with Prince Harry, often signaling their connection. James explained that the royal’s “double clutch,” where she holds her partner with both hands, could be a “gesture of possession.”

Notably, Markle’s tendency to clasp her husband’s arm and hand is not new. She first displayed this gesture during their engagement announcement in 2017.

James said this “clingy clutch” initially signaled a desire to keep Prince Harry close, but more recently, it has taken on a “gesture of possession,” as if to say, “He’s mine.”

The gesture emphasizes that the Duke of Sussex is her priority while allowing for a subtle, sensual touch if her fingers meet his bare arm. This possessive display was also seen at the ESPY Awards in July 2024 when the couple posed with Serena Williams.

Another common gesture is her hand on his knee, which James described as a “sensual” display of physical attraction and a “signal of ownership.”

Markle’s frequent touch, beyond simply seeking closeness, may also be a sign of “a more maternal form of ownership,” James claimed. The Duchess is often seen placing her hand on Prince Harry’s thigh or knee, as she did at the ESPY Awards.

During the event, where the couple smiled warmly, Markle, dressed in a white gown, rested her hand on her husband’s knee in what could be interpreted as an “intimate or exclusive” gesture. James noted that touching his knee or thigh “stamps” the prince with a sense of ownership, and the move is undeniably sensual.

In addition, Markle frequently opts to hold Prince Harry’s arm instead of his hand. James noted this bicep grip symbolizes her “surrendered” admiration of his strength and masculinity. While allowing him to take the lead, the subtle touch keeps her involved as part of their “double act,” maintaining their close connection.

Moreover, the actress often uses both hands to hold one of Prince Harry’s in what James termed a “double clasp” gesture. She explained that this is the “strongest form of hand linking,” which enhances their image as a “romantic couple.”

Dubbed the “hand sandwich,” this gesture was notably seen during their engagement photoshoot, where Markle gazed up at Prince Harry as they shared smiles.

One of Markle’s more nurturing gestures is her hand on Prince Harry’s back. James suggested that this “steering” movement hints at the Duchess taking on the role of host, and possibly leader once they were in the US, using it to guide the Duke as she introduced him to others.

Markle’s tactile gestures are often matched by Prince Harry, creating a balance in their public displays of affection. While she frequently uses touch to guide or comfort him, Prince Harry’s hand is often placed firmly on hers, with his arm positioned in front.

James observed that this hand placement is a “dominant gesture,” signaling the royal’s desire to take the lead and showcase his protective nature toward his wife.

Online users quickly shared their thoughts on the dynamic between the Duke and Duchess. “It is obvious she is controlling him,” remarked one person. Another user added, “She gives orders to him, tells him when to stop talking to people.”

Others focused on the couple’s interactions in the spotlight. “She clutches him whenever she wants to be part of the attention focused his way, [sic] when she is insecure. She is now the happier-looking one while he looks somber a lot of the time,” observed another.