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Harry and Meghan's post-wedding PDA

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

From Harper's BAZAAR

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge might have delayed their actual honeymoon getaway, but they're definitely in the honeymoon stages of their relationship. While attending a garden party honouring Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace, the two linked arms while greeting other guests.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

Meghan was also seen putting her hand on her husband's back as they exited the event together.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are no strangers to PDA. They held hands through their first joint interview, at many of their public engagements, and even as they sat together during their wedding.

The body language was much different at Prince William and Kate's first post-wedding appearance seven years ago, which was a private meeting with the former POTUS and FLOTUS, Barack and Michelle Obama, at Buckingham Palace.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

Clearly the nature of the two events were different. Willam and Kate were welcoming foreign leaders on a state visit while Harry and Meghan attended an early birthday party for Prince Charles (which also honoured first responders from the Manchester bombing).

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were much more reserved at their formal engagement, keeping their hands to themselves while chatting with America's former president and first lady.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

There's no written protocol stating that royal couples can't touch each other in public, but William and Kate are less likely to do so because they're "working representatives of British Monarchy" and want to "remain professional," etiquette expert Myka Meier told People in 2016.

Harry and Meghan, now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are also working royals now, but as sixth in line for the throne, it's highly unlikely Harry will become King. William, however, is second in line for the throne after his father Prince Charles. He and Kate will be King and Queen Consort one day, so it makes sense why they would follow protocol more closely, while Harry and Meghan can bend the rules.

However, we've still seen rare PDA moments between the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in recent months. They held hands while taking their newborn son, Prince Louis, home from the hospital, and William put his hand on Kate's back during their St. Patrick's Day and Commonwealth Day appearances.

The decision to show PDA ultimately depends on the event. "It is rare to see royal couples holding hands on official outings," Meier later told People in 2017.

"While we are much less likely to see The Duke and Duchess holding hands in public, we often see Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall holding hands – it’s all simply a matter of preference for each couple and is also likely dependent on the nature of the event they are attending," she added. "A more serious engagement would warrant a more serious level of professionalism, which each royal is sure to follow."

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