Meghan Markle has reportedly told Prince Harry to avoid physical affection during public appearances after feeling embarrassed by a recent red-carpet moment. The Duchess of Sussex was said to be “humiliated” when Harry gave her a light pat at a charity gala in New York, an incident that quickly went viral online.
The Duke and Duchess attended the Project Healthy Minds Gala, where they were honored for their humanitarian work. However, attention shifted from their achievements to Harry’s playful gesture, which sparked widespread commentary on social media.
According to Radar Online, a source close to the couple said Meghan was caught off guard by the moment and frustrated that it drew attention away from the purpose of the event. “Meghan was absolutely humiliated,” the insider claimed. “She’s very conscious of how every detail is picked apart, and that moment made her feel like a spectacle.”
The source added that Meghan later spoke to Harry about setting boundaries for public behavior. “She told Harry afterward that there’s a time and place for affection – and the red carpet isn’t it. She’s made it clear that public displays like that are off-limits from now on,” the insider said.
Those close to the Duchess say the incident felt especially frustrating because it distracted from their philanthropic work. “Meghan puts a lot of effort into how they’re perceived at these events,” the source continued. “Everything from the styling to the speeches is planned with precision. So when Harry did that, she felt it undermined all the professionalism she was trying to project.”
The insider also noted that Meghan has worked hard to build her credibility beyond her royal background. “She doesn’t want to come across as the giggling plus-one – she’s trying to build her credibility as a serious figure in philanthropy and business,” they said.
Friends of the Duchess have reportedly said she has been reminding Harry to “read the room” during public outings. “She doesn’t want to embarrass him, but she also won’t have him turning a serious occasion into tabloid fodder,” one friend told Radar Online.
While the couple continues to maintain a united front in public, reports suggest Meghan’s focus is now firmly on shaping their image as respected advocates and entrepreneurs. For the Duchess, small moments like this highlight the delicate balance between maintaining their warmth as a couple and preserving the professional image they’ve worked hard to build.