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After the procession that saw the Queen’s coffin arrive at Westminster Hall yesterday, Prince Harry left the ceremony hand in hand with his wife, Meghan.
The pair’s closeness has been labelled as ‘disrespectful’ by critics for choosing not to follow royal protocol, and they were compared to the new Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, who stood apart.
Harry and Meghan have raised eyebrows over the years due to their public displays of affection.
They’re often seen holding hands or touching each other’s backs supportively, which often triggers backlash.
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But many have leapt to the pair’s defence – with many pointing out that Zara and Mike Tindall also left the hall hand in hand.
And, as we’ve seen the royal family grieve the loss of the Queen, they’ve comforted one another in front of the cameras.
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At Balmoral, sisters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie held hands while reading the tribute left to their great grandmother.
They were also joined by their dad, Prince Andrew, who gave his eldest daughter a hug.
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Therapist and relationship expert Sally Baker, says that we show our love in different ways. She says: ‘Both parties in a relationship need to be mindful of what the other person needs.
‘If you need physical affection to be reassured and feel loved, as it seems that Harry and Meghan do, then your partner should offer you that – not doing so would be a red flag.
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‘But not everyone’s love language is physical touch. If neither party enjoys those public displays of affection, that’s okay too. You just need to be on the same page.’
But your partner isn’t a mind reader. Sally says: ‘It’s all about communication. Talk to each other, and be open to what the other person wants.’
And communicating is even more important in times of grief. Sally explains: ‘You should ask what your partner needs that day.
‘If they need the outward love and reassurance, be their hand to hold, or the hug they need.
‘Equally, if they tend to close in on themselves, just be by their side – let them know you’re there. It’s all about being responsive to emotional signals.’
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It’s not the first time in the family’s history that royals have had to balance their emotions with their royal duty.
The Queen’s uncle, King Edward III, famously abdicated in December 1936, so that he could marry American socialite Wallis Simpson, who his family disapproved of because she had been divorced.
And contrary to popular belief, the royal family are no strangers to outwardly showing their love for one another.
The Queen herself was often seen sharing a tender moment with Prince Philip, who she once referred to as her ‘strength and stay’.
In 1982, the pair shared a PDA in Ottawa, Canada, when Prince Philip kissed his wife on the cheek before she boarded a plane to London.
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In 2003, a photographer captured one of the most unguarded moments in their marriage when the Queen was spotted giggling with Prince Philip when a swarm of bees interrupted an event at Windsor Castle.
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And in 2015, the couple were seen holding hands as they walked down the steps of St Paul’s cathedral.
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William and Kate also aren’t shy about showing their affection. William offered a supportive touch to his wife’s back as they viewed the floral tributes placed at Sandringham in honour of the Queen.
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Happier occasions also call for a PDA.
On their 10th wedding anniversary, they shared a photo on Instagram to mark the occasion. Kate can be seen snuggling up to the future King, as he wraps his arms around her.
And perhaps their most iconic moment came during the London 2012 Olympics, when Kate and William celebrated Chris Hoy winning his fifth gold medal by jumping into each other’s arms.
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