It’s the dilemma that many people face when being introduced to royalty – do you bow, curtsy or simply shake hands?
And it let to an awkward moment on stage at the One World Summit last night as the organiser clashed with Meghan Markle by performing a respectful curtsy while the Duchess caught her off guard by trying to offer a more informal hug.
There are no obligatory rules on greeting the Queen or her family members, but tradition dictates that men may wish to bow their heads while women perform a small curtsy. A handshake is also perfectly acceptable, but hugging is not customary.
Meghan Markle, 38, attended the event at the Royal Albert Hall last night, her first public appearance since the explosive documentary Harry and Meghan: An African Journey, in which the royal admitted to struggling the spotlight.
But she looked confident as she strode on to the stage and opened her arms to give organiser Kate Robertson a warm hug.
Unfortunately, Ms Robertston decided to curtsy to the Duchess at the same time, resulting in her putting her arms around Meghan’s waist, while the royal’s hands went around her shoulders.
The women laughed off the mishap, with Meghan shaking her head and insisting that they still share a hug.
Meghan Markle, 38, suffered the awkward blunder while attending the One Young World summit at the Royal Albert Hall last night
As organiser Kate Robertson offered the Duchess of Sussex a curtsey, Meghan was seen trying to embrace the woman in an embrace
The Duchess went on to shake her head and insist on a long and close hug with the woman onstage
The official opening of the 2019 One Young World summit, in Kensington, west London took place just hours after a source close to her and Prince Harry told CNN the couple are ‘single-handedly’ modernising the monarchy.
Meghan attended without Prince Harry, in her role as vice-president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, which is partnering with One Young World to bring 53 young leaders to the summit.
The Royal Albert Hall event was described as a ‘global forum for young leaders’ and brought together 2,000 people from more than 190 countries.
Wearing a £107 recyled purple Babaton by Aritzia gown and sporting a broad smile, Meghan exchanged hugs and handshakes as she greeted admirers upon her arrival.
The royal appeared in good spirits as she made her first public appearance since the explosive documentary Harry and Meghan: An African Journey
Meghan beamed as she arrived at the Royal Albert Hall ahead of the annual 2019 One World Summit
The royal was met with rapturous applause and cheers as she walked into the Royal Albert Hall for the event last night
As she walked on stage to rapturous applause, the Duchess greeted Kate Robertson with arms outstretched, while the organiser bent low in a curtsey.
The awkward moment saw Meghan embrace the women into her chest, before the women appeared to laugh off the mishap.
The Duchess could be seen shaking her head before Kate rose up to embrace her in a close and friendly hug.
Meghan has been involved with One Young World since 2014 when she attended its summit in Dublin and agreed to become a counsellor, acting as a role model and adviser for young people.
Meghan was seen approaching the organiser with her arms out-stretched for an embrace shortly before the awkward moment occurred
As Kate appeared to bend in a low curtsey, Meghan opted for a friendly hug with the organiser, causing the clash
The women appeared to laugh after the clash, with Meghan insisting on a long embrace with Kate
Kate and Meghan went on to enjoy a close hug after the awkward blunder on stage at the One World Summit
The Duchess went on to sit next to organiser David Jones and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Professor Muhammad Yunus at the event
She had used her role in the youth group to advocate for women’s rights and the role men can play in creating equality.
Meghan’s appearance came just days after an emotional interview with ITV broadcaster Tom Bradby, where Meghan revealed her struggles to cope with the pressures of her new life since marrying Harry in May 2018.
And, earlier today, a source close to Harry and Meghan told CNN that the couple are ‘single-handedly’ modernising the monarchy, before slamming the ‘institution around the royal family’ for being unable to harness the couple’s full value.
It was Meghan’s first public appearance since she said she was ‘struggling’ with life in the royal family in an explosive interview on Sunday night
They then hit out at the ‘hysterical’ media reaction to the comments made by Prince Harry in an ITV documentary on Sunday about his brother William.
The couple are said to have a full schedule of engagements until mid-November – before taking six weeks off from royal duties over Christmas.
It is understood their family time will include them flying to Los Angeles next month to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland.