The Sussexes at St. Paul's

Meghan and Harry's royal return and where we might see them next.

On Friday morning, June 3rd, the Duchess of Sussex stepped out of a chauffeured Land Rover at the base of the steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral. She picked nervously at her Dior ensemble for a minute as Harry came to take her hand. Although yesterday (Trooping) presented one daunting challenge to the Sussexes—mixing and mingling face-to-face with the family they painted as racist on Oprah—today was their day to face the cameras and the nation as they made their first public appearance together in Britain since Megxit.

I am of the firm opinion that Meghan often plays the role of the doe-eyed ingenue—echoing portrayals of Diana—but although those first nervous movements after she exited the car might or might not have been affected for the cameras, the tension in her face as she ascended the first set of steps to greet the waiting church official looked entirely genuine.

The cathedral bells were pealing throughout their arrival, and news outlets have had mixed reports, but from the many readers who were in the crowd and messaged me, as well as correspondents from some outlets on the ground, it sounds like the Sussexes received a mixed reception—some boos and some cheers—similar to greeting Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie received. As one person remarked, a welcome similar to that given a politician is not ideal for a royal. That said, the reports are every mixed, and it frankly sounds to me like they had a majority positive reception. I think it can be very hard to tell the difference between a cheer and jeer in a crowd that big.

Perhaps Meghan’s unusually stony face was a reflection of the boos she could hear, but no matter the reception from the crowd, it does not surprise me that Meghan looked tense. This must be an incredibly uncomfortable weekend for her, but a very necessary one. The Sussexes stand to gain quite a bit from this painful trip across the pond. They market themselves as royals, and they make much of their continued intimacy with the Queen, so it really was essential for them to show up for this important and historic weekend celebrating the longest reigning monarch in British history. They have had a very rough two years, as discussed in the May newsletter, and they really need to top up their royal brand. When you consider that once the Queen dies, and assuming they do not repair their relationship with Charles and William, they will need to trade off their relationship with the Queen for the rest of their lives, this was an even more important weekend for them to attend. They need stories and they need pictures to use for many years to come.

Only the Sussexes know how they feel about their changed position on this first trip back. Although they are probably not happy with their demoted status, I think they have done pretty well, all things considered. Because the Sussexes are no longer working royals, they did not join the carriage procession at Trooping yesterday, nor were they permitted to join the senior royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the flypast and the historic images of the monarch and her royal family. As all royal fans know, the carriages and the balcony pictures are the places we see the royals on Trooping day. Nevertheless, Meghan provided us with some snaps. While being driven to one of the Trooping events, she rolled down her window to better view the assembled crowds, and both Harry and Meghan made headlines shushing the children near the windows where long lenses were able to pick up some pictures.

The Palace has also treated them quite well. Harry and Meghan might not be working royals, but Harry remains in the line of succession, so they still merit a particular position arriving and departing. Although the couple did not join the royal procession in St. Paul’s, they were not piled into the bus with the other “lesser” royals, and instead arrived by separate car. They made their way up the steps alone, although they then joined the queue of other royals finding their seats. I think this was the best mixed bag they could expect. They got their own car and arrival, but were ushered to their seats without significant ceremony, and were placed across from the primary four royals. The Palace has been careful to avoid a photo op with the Sussexes and the Cambridges mixing together.

After the service, the extended royal family headed to a reception at the Guildhall, but the Sussexes did not attend that event. They were pictured returning to Frogmore Cottage after the service. I don’t know for sure what we should draw from this, but I have to imagine the Sussexes have no interest whatsoever in another family gathering, and the cynical side of me assumes they used this time to some other advantage, which they will tell us about in due course. Perhaps they are having a private visit with the Queen, or celebrating Lilibet’s birthday early (which is tomorrow) at the Palace, or even undertaking an engagement they scheduled on their own. The papers noted that Kensington Palace has been worried about what the Sussexes might do on their own to capitalize on their trip, but I did see a report that the two would not have their royal protection if they ventured out on their own, so their hands might be tied right now.   

A quick few fashion comments on both Kate and Meghan today. Kate was magnificent in a custom Emilia Wickstead dress and matching hat by Philip Treacy. She brought out the sparkle again today with diamond and pearl earrings on loan from the Queen (HM’s Bahrain pearl drops), and she finished her ensemble with Gianvito Rossi heels and a new clutch.

Meghan went all in for Dior. Her coat and hat are both by the French fashion giant, as are those gorgeous curved heels. She turned to one of her favorite jewelry companies with the Maison Birks diamond earrings she has worn before, and complemented her ensemble with an envelope clutch and the Cartier love bracelet she wears often. Her gloves seemed a definite nod to Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly. I thought both ladies looked lovely. Meghan really struggled in the royal wardrobe department when she was in the fold, as we have discussed before, but this was a hit, in my opinion.

I do not know what the Sussexes’ schedule is beyond today. We knew they’d attend this event, but it isn’t clear at what else they will be. The Times has alluded to a birthday party for Lilibet tomorrow, but I am not certain if the paper is assuming a party on her birthday or if they have an inside tip. The Times has speculated that “[y]ounger members of the royal family, possibly including the Sussexes as well as the Cambridges, will attend Saturday night’s Platinum Party at the Palace, while the Queen watches on television at home in Windsor.” Later in the same article, the Times reported: “An unnamed source has said that the couple will attend ‘at least’ one other public engagement as well as the service at St Paul’s, while also warning that the public ‘should not expect them at every event.’’’ 

I don’t think Trooping counts as a public event, since there was no public aspect for them, and but for the window maneuverings, they would never have been seen. If I were the Sussexes, I would attend the Epsom Derby tomorrow. It is a quintessential royal event, and they’d get great pictures looking royal and natural, while the races would provide them something to ooohh and ahhhh over—i.e., they would have something to do to help them through the event socially. But we shall see.