Meghan Markle once mocked royal traditions in the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, recalling her first meeting with Queen Elizabeth II. Reenacting the moment, she performed an exaggerated curtsy, comparing the experience to a scene from Medieval Times. Prince Harry, sitting beside her, looked visibly uncomfortable during the retelling.
The meeting took place at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, shortly after Meghan and Harry began dating in 2016. Meghan described the encounter as surreal, but her casual tone and playful imitation sparked criticism for lacking respect toward royal customs—especially since Harry grew up honoring them.
Meghan shared that when Harry asked if she knew how to curtsy before meeting the Queen, she thought he was joking. She had no idea she’d be meeting the Queen that day — it was all so sudden.
Harry explained that it was a culture shock for Meghan, especially as an American unfamiliar with royal customs. Meghan admitted it felt surreal and said she didn’t realize how serious it was until they were already on the way to the Royal Lodge.
Harry said it’s hard to explain to people, especially Americans, that you’re expected to bow or curtsy to your own grandmother. Meghan added that once it clicked, she began to understand the significance of the moment.
During her Netflix documentary, Meghan Markle described her first curtsy to Queen Elizabeth, comparing it to something out of “Medieval Times.” She exaggerated the moment playfully, saying, “Pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty,” which drew mixed reactions online. Many viewers found the gesture disrespectful, while others noted that Prince Harry appeared visibly uncomfortable.
Meghan also shared in a previous Oprah interview that Harry had coached her on how to curtsy just minutes before meeting the Queen. Body language expert Louise Mahler commented that while Harry seemed deeply in love, Meghan’s reenactment felt overly theatrical and may have embarrassed him.
In the docuseries, Meghan criticized Buckingham Palace for not cooperating and revealed personal struggles adapting to royal life. She said she was surprised by how formal the royals were, even behind closed doors, and that her habit of hugging felt “jarring” to them.
Meghan also admitted she had to Google the UK national anthem and joked about not knowing how to do the royal wave, adding she didn’t want to wave “like an American.”
A clip from Suits has resurfaced showing Meghan Markle performing a perfect curtsy in 2010—raising questions about her later claims of not knowing how to curtsy before joining the Royal Family. In the scene, her character Rachel Zane curtsies jokingly after being thanked by a colleague.
Some viewers believe this suggests Meghan may have exaggerated her unfamiliarity with royal customs. The duchess had previously faced criticism for disregarding protocol during her early time with Prince Harry, especially before their 2018 wedding. Her first royal outing with the Queen was closely watched by the media due to these concerns.
During Meghan’s early royal days, she was photographed making the Queen laugh—earning positive headlines. They reportedly bonded over dogs and motherhood. However, a small etiquette mix-up happened when Meghan hesitated over who should enter a car first.
Though flustered, she followed the Queen’s cue, who reportedly took it lightly with a “twinkle in her eye.”
Meghan Markle once unknowingly broke a royal habit by sitting in the Queen’s preferred seat—directly behind the driver—during their only joint event. While it wasn’t a strict protocol violation, Harry later claimed the media unfairly criticized Meghan for it, calling the event a “disaster.” Critics suggest Meghan struggled with royal customs and may have leaned on her acting background to stir public sympathy.