Did Harry and Meghan break the rules by holding hands at Westminster Hall?

Royal experts have weighed in on whether Harry and Meghan broke royal protocol while honouring the Queen.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s public display of affection following a short service honouring Queen Elizabeth II drew mixed reactions.

Prince Harry and his wife held hands as they left Westminster Hall on Wednesday. The other royal couples involved in the procession walked with their arms at their sides.

Royal expert Shannon Felton Spence told Fox News Digital the action was most likely a “loving show of support” for Prince Harry, but emphasised that the royal family was “on the job”.

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The couple held hands as they walked in the procession. Picture: Getty Images

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“While there are no formal ‘rules’ against PDA, we don’t often see it from the royals because usually when we see them they are on the job,” Ms Spence explained.

“They are presenting their most professional appearance. When we see William and Catherine out, they are husband and wife colleagues.”

Ms Spence noted that public displays of affection are seen by members of the royal family, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, but they normally occur at less formal events.

“It does happen, but usually always ‘setting appropriate’ or a less formal event (like if they are playing a sport),” she added.

“That’s why it’s so striking that Harry and Meghan have always been so overtly affectionate with each other.

“It’s not that it’s unusual for a husband and wife, it’s that we’re just not used to seeing it from the royals while they are on the job.”

Harry and Meghan’s public displays of affection have been described as ‘striking’. Picture: Getty Images

Kate Middleton and Prince William have been seen holding hands in public a handful of times.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s hand-holding on Wednesday received mixed reactions on social media. Some called Meghan “supportive,” while others labelled the move “inappropriate”.

“Meghan Markle is such a supportive wife to Prince Harry. The best of the British royal family,” one user wrote.

“Keep holding hands Harry and Meghan. It amuses me to see people bothered by it. Lol,” another added.

“What a shame. Meghan and Harry just had to draw attention to themselves by holding hands,” one said. “Totally inappropriate but what else can you expect?”

Other social media users pointed out that Meghan and Prince Harry weren’t the only royal couple to hold hands during Wednesday’s events.

Zara Tindall, daughter of Princess Anne, and her husband Mike Tindall held hands when arriving to Westminster Hall. However, it is important to note that the two do not hold royal titles.

Ms Spence, a royal expert, told Fox News Digital that the hand-holding between Harry and Meghan was understandable.

“I’ll give them a pass for today when they were walking out of Westminster Hall because that procession had to be very traumatising for Harry, and they are all grieving,” she said.

Many have noticed the stark contrast between how William and Kate and Meghan and Harry interact in public. Picture: WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince Harry has a history of being publicly affectionate with Meghan. Before he married the Duchess of Sussex, the Prince kissed her on the cheek at the closing of the Invictus Games in 2017. The move landed the two in media headlines at the time.

They’ve shared a lip lock or two since then at a handful of events, including a polo match in 2018. That kiss was compared to Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s photographed kiss at a polo match in 1985.

Fox News’ Ashley Papa contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Fox News and was reproduced with permission