By Royal Correspondent, January 7, 2026In what was meant to be a lighthearted anecdote in the Sussexes’ blockbuster Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, Meghan Markle’s exaggerated reenactment of her first curtsy to the late Queen Elizabeth II has proven to be anything but quirky. Far from a charming cultural clash story, the moment – where the Duchess dramatically bowed low from the sofa, comparing royal protocol to a “medieval times dinner and tournament” – revealed a deeper disdain for the institution she briefly joined. And, as experts and the public now agree, it spectacularly backfired, cementing a turning point in Meghan’s plummeting popularity and exposing flaws in her character that no PR spin could erase.
The scene, which aired in December 2022, showed Meghan giggling as she described being caught off-guard by the need to curtsy during an impromptu meeting with the Queen at Royal Lodge in 2016. “Pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty,” she said with theatrical flair, performing a deep, sweeping bow that bore little resemblance to actual royal etiquette. Prince Harry, sitting beside her, appeared visibly uncomfortable – his face tightening into what body language experts later described as a “poker face” of disapproval or even contempt.Royal commentators were quick to label it disrespectful. Gyles Brandreth called it “mocking” and “embarrassing,” noting that “nobody curtsies to the Queen like that.” Body language analyst Jesús Enrique Rosas pointed out Harry’s signs of anger, including a serious demeanor and lack of empathy, suggesting the Duke felt the portrayal went too far.
Even years later, in 2025 analyses, experts revisited the clip, concluding Harry “cut off” the moment by glancing away, signaling discomfort with his wife’s “disrespectful joke.”What made the backlash so intense was the perception that Meghan wasn’t just poking fun at herself – she was belittling centuries-old traditions and, by extension, the late Queen herself. As one PR expert told Newsweek at the time, it was “the infamous fake bow” that became the Sussexes’ biggest self-inflicted wound. Clips of the moment went viral repeatedly, often juxtaposed with graceful curtsies by the Princess of Wales, highlighting the contrast in respect and decorum.https://artifacts.grokusercontent.com/third-party-imagetoday.comhttps://artifacts.grokusercontent.com/third-party-imagedailymail.co.ukhttps://artifacts.grokusercontent.com/third-party-imageindependent.co.uk
Critics argued the reenactment exposed Meghan’s character: a reluctance to fully embrace royal duties while demanding the perks, laced with sarcasm toward an institution built on quiet service. Resurfaced footage from her Suits days – showing her performing a perfectly executed curtsy on screen years before meeting Harry – only fueled accusations of dishonesty. How could someone who claimed the gesture was alien and “surreal” have nailed it in a 2010 episode? It suggested the Netflix story was exaggerated for dramatic effect, painting Meghan as an outsider victim while undermining the Queen’s legacy.
The public reaction was swift and damning. Social media erupted with outrage, calling it “cringeworthy” and “disrespectful.” Reddit threads and TikTok videos dissected the moment endlessly, with millions viewing comparisons that favored Kate Middleton’s poised reverence. Polls post-series showed Meghan and Harry’s popularity in the UK hitting rock bottom, with YouGov figures placing them near Prince Andrew in unpopularity. The docuseries, intended to humanize them, instead amplified perceptions of entitlement and ingratitude.Even Harry seemed conflicted. In his memoir Spare, he described Meghan’s actual curtsy as “flawless” – a far cry from the mocked version on Netflix. Body language readings suggested he was “red-faced with anger,” hinting at private tensions over how far Meghan pushed the narrative.https://artifacts.grokusercontent.com/third-party-imagepeople.comhttps://artifacts.grokusercontent.com/third-party-imagepeople.com
Years on, the curtsy clip remains a cultural touchstone for Meghan’s critics – a glaring window into what many see as her true sentiments toward the monarchy. It wasn’t quirky; it was a miscalculation that alienated millions, turning sympathy into skepticism. As one royal watcher put it: “She thought it would make her relatable. Instead, it made her look petty.”
In the end, the moment didn’t just backfire – it exploded, shattering any lingering illusions of a graceful exit from royal life. Meghan’s “quirky” anecdote became the defining symbol of why the Sussex experiment failed: a clash not just of cultures, but of character. And for the Duchess, the deep bow she took on Netflix may have been the one that cost her the most.
