Prince William ‘Recoiled’ from Meghan, Prince Harry Claimed

Prince Harry, 40, also recalled an awkward first meeting between Meghan and Prince William in his explosive 2023 memoir, Spare.

According to Harry, William was visibly uneasy when Meghan greeted him with a hug, calling it a “classic collision of cultures.”

“[It] completely freaked him out,” Harry wrote. “He recoiled. Willy didn’t hug many strangers. Whereas Meg hugged most strangers. Will had hoped that she would greet him with standard reverence per protocol, but she didn’t know it, and I hadn’t told her.”

Traditionally, the royal family avoids physical contact in formal settings, favoring handshakes, bows, or curtsies.

Harry has previously spoken about the lack of physical affection he received growing up.

However, in recent years, there have been signs of change. Despite his initial hesitation toward Meghan’s hugs, King Charles has shown a more affectionate side in public.

In September 2024, he made headlines when he broke tradition by hugging the New Zealand Women’s Rugby Team after they requested an embrace.

“Yeah, we all wanted a hug,” player Ayesha Leti-I’iga told Charles. “But only if it’s okay with you.”

To the team’s delight, the king agreed, replying, “A hug? Why not!”

After the group embrace, he joked that it felt like being “flattened by a scrum” and described it as “very healing.”