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Kate Middleton breaks royal tradition just like Meghan Markle

Olivia Morris
·Contributor

During her time on her first international royal tour, we’ve seen Meghan Markle take some style notes from sister-in-law Kate Middleton.

But yesterday at a charity engagement alongside Prince William in Essex, it appeared the Duchess of Cambridge was channelling some of the Duchess of Sussex’s personality – and we’re not just talking about her sartorial choices.

It appears a bit of Meghan Markle’s (pictured in New Zealand on Tuesday) personality is rubbing off on Kate Middleton (pictured in Essex on Tuesday). Source: Getty
It appears a bit of Meghan Markle’s (pictured in New Zealand on Tuesday) personality is rubbing off on Kate Middleton (pictured in Essex on Tuesday). Source: Getty
Earlier this week, Meghan Markle, at Governance House in Wellington, NZ, took some style notes from sister-in-law Kate Middleton, pictured at a charity event in 2016. Source: Getty
Earlier this week, Meghan Markle, at Governance House in Wellington, NZ, took some style notes from sister-in-law Kate Middleton, pictured at a charity event in 2016. Source: Getty

As we’ve seen on the royal tour, Meghan and Prince Harry aren’t afraid to break royal tradition as they’ve gone beyond the simple handshake and hugged many, many fans during their time in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.

It appears the tactile nature of the royal couple has rubbed off on Kate as she was seen greeting participants at the charity sporting event with hugs.

The Duchess of Cambridge hugs a participant as she meets new apprentices and graduates from the Coach Core Essex apprenticeship scheme during a charity sporting event. Source: Getty
The Duchess of Cambridge hugs a participant as she meets new apprentices and graduates from the Coach Core Essex apprenticeship scheme during a charity sporting event. Source: Getty

Members of the British royal family are generally not supposed to be touched ‘in a manner that goes beyond a formal handshake’; think of that awkward photo of Kate Middleton when basketball star LeBron James wrapped his arm around her in 2014.

But four years on from that awkward photo, it appears the Duchess of Cambridge is changing her tune when it comes to the no touching tradition.

LeBron James standing with his arm around Kate Middleton was very awkward. Photo: Getty
LeBron James standing with his arm around Kate Middleton was very awkward. Photo: Getty

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex in New Zealand

Just yesterday Meghan, who is pregnant with her first child with Prince Harry, was pictured talking to children outside one of Wellington’s most iconic cafes, Maranui Café.

However, while all the kids in the line-up seemed thrilled to be meeting royalty, the excitement of the day got a little bit too much for one little boy at the end of the line.

Meghan Markle proved she’s a natural with ids when she comforted a shy schoolboy in the sweetest way outside a New Zealand café yesterday. Photo: Getty Images
Meghan Markle proved she’s a natural with ids when she comforted a shy schoolboy in the sweetest way outside a New Zealand café yesterday. Photo: Getty Images
Meghan Markle tried to comfort the young boy by waving the homemade flag he had brought along. Photo: Getty Images
Meghan Markle tried to comfort the young boy by waving the homemade flag he had brought along. Photo: Getty Images

The boy, who is believed to be named Joe, could be seen in the photos with his head down and rubbing his eyes as Meghan got closer to him.

And when the 37-year-old saw how shy Joe was, she knelt down in front of him and gave him a reassuring pat on the belly.

When that didn’t work, the Duchess took the homemade flag the boy had created and began to wave it.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Melbourne

During their time in Melbourne, Prince Harry reduced one girl to tears as he broke royal protocol giving her a hug.

Student India Brown, 19, was in the crowds to greet Harry and Meghan at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Source: Getty
Source: Getty

When she asked if she could have a hug, Harry accepted her offer whilst also slightly teasing her.

“He just said ‘you are going to get me into trouble’,” she recalled to reporters later on.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Dubbo visit

Earlier in the tour, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex met five-year-old schoolboy Luke Vincent, who was overjoyed to come face-to-face with the royal couple.

He’d been waiting for the royal couple for hours, and in a heartwarming moment, the kindergartener dove straight in for a cuddle with Harry as the royal bent down to greet him.

The five-year-old Dubbo schoolboy gave Meghan a bunch of flowers and a huge hug. Source: Getty
The five-year-old Dubbo schoolboy gave Meghan a bunch of flowers and a huge hug. Source: Getty

The young boy, who has Down syndrome, was fascinated by the Duke of Sussex’s scruffy beard, and he reached in to touch it before presenting a pregnant Meghan with a some flowers and a hug.

According to Luke’s mum, he “loves” beards.

“Luke’s favourite person is Santa Claus, isn’t it?” she told 7News, to which Luke replied, “Yeah, Santa Claus.”

Meghan seemed to find Luke’s fascination adorable. Source: Getty
Meghan seemed to find Luke’s fascination adorable. Source: Getty

Mrs. Vincent admitted she was slightly concerned after Luke “jumped up” on Harry, as she was told there was a “no touching” rule around the royals.

“I was very concerned once he started rubbing Prince Harry’s face and his hair, but Prince Harry was completely gracious,” she said. “And was so polite and realised what was happening and his infatuation with his beard.

“We can only thank him so much for treating Luke with such respect.”

Meghan Markle is pregnant

Just hours after they arrived in Australia at the beginning of the royal tour, Harry and Meghan announced they were expecting their first child together.

“Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019,” the palace said in statement on Twitter.

“Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public.”


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