Did Meghan’s Acting Past Spark Royal Embarrassment? Netflix Curtsy Scene Draws Fresh Criticism
Meghan Markle’s theatrical re-enactment of her first meeting with Queen Elizabeth II has resurfaced — and it’s causing yet another stir. In the Netflix series Harry & Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex dramatically mimicked a deep curtsy while giggling, as her husband Prince Harry looked on, visibly uncomfortable.
The scene, which some critics branded as mocking and inappropriate, has reignited debates over Meghan’s approach to royal traditions. Speaking in the episode, Meghan described her first encounter with the Queen as “surreal,” comparing it to an American medieval-themed dinner show. She said she had no idea how to behave and thought Harry was joking when he asked if she knew how to curtsy.
Harry admitted Meghan had no clue what meeting the monarch would entail, calling the moment “a shock to the system.” But footage from Meghan’s Suits days shows her performing a textbook curtsy on screen — raising questions about whether her Netflix dramatics were exaggerated for effect.
Body language experts say Harry appeared “stone-faced” and “humiliated” as Meghan exaggerated her gesture. Online reactions were swift, with many calling the moment “disrespectful” to the late Queen and the monarchy.
This wasn’t the first time Meghan’s royal protocol mishaps made headlines. Her first solo appearance with the Queen in 2018 drew positive coverage — including a photo of the two laughing together — but also sparked minor controversy when she entered a car before the monarch, reportedly unaware of royal seating etiquette.
In hindsight, some royal watchers believe Meghan’s dramatic instincts may have shaped not just her curtsy, but the public narrative around her role in the Firm. And with Prince Harry’s memoir Spare adding fuel to the fire by framing the trip as a “disaster,” the lingering question remains: was it all an innocent misstep — or a performance meant to provoke?
