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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

Meghan Markle's joke to Kate Middleton at Trooping the Colour led to 'yawning silence'

Trooping the Colour today will see the royals out in force - but two family members will be notably absent.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle won't be at the event - despite it being the first Sovereign's Birthday Parade of King Charles' reign.

Before quitting as working royals and carving out a new life in the United States, the couple were regulars at the major event.

Even last year, they were at Trooping, which coincided with the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations - although they did not make an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Their no-show this year comes amid a strained relationship with their royal relatives including Charles and Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales in the wake of their controversial Netflix series and Harry's bombshell memoir, Spare.

Meghan with Kate at her first Trooping the Colour in 2018 (Getty Images Europe)

And it was in Spare that Harry revealed at her first Trooping the Colour in 2018, Meghan tried to crack a joke with Kate but it led to a "yawning silence".

At that year's event, Meghan looked stunning in a baby pink dress and matching hat, standing proudly next to her new husband who was dressed in his military uniform.

And while Meghan was seen chatting with Kate, William and Camilla, Harry claims things were far more awkward behind-the-scenes.

Harry and Meghan on the balcony with Charles at Trooping in 2018 (Getty Images)

Harry claims that once they stepped back inside, Kate asked Meghan what she thought of her first Trooping the Colour and she replied: "Colourful".

Harry writes: "A yawning silence threatened to swallow us all whole".

The Prince uses his book to share his version of the fallouts and tensions between Meghan and his family in the lead-up to the wedding, which likely contributed to the awkward feelings at Trooping.

He accuses Kate and William of "stereotyping" her, saying their behaviour created a barrier. He also said his brother described her as "difficult".

Harry attended the Coronation last month but Meghan stayed at home (AFP via Getty Images)

He also details a row between Kate and Meghan at a bridesmaid dress fitting in the lead-up to the wedding and said Kate grimaced when Meghan asked to borrow lip gloss at an event.

For Charles and Queen Camilla's Coronation last month, Harry attended the ceremony solo before quickly dashing back to his family.

Meghan stayed at home in California with their children Prince Archie, who celebrated his fourth birthday on the same day, and Princess Lilibet.

The Mirror's royal editor Russell Myers explained: "As the final touches are being made to the King’s first Trooping the Colour, one or two names not on the guest list are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

"The Sussexes’ absence will come as no surprise but the poignancy of the no-show will be noted as yet another missed opportunity for Harry and his family to sit down and start a new chapter in their relationship."

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