Royal protocol isn’t just etiquette—it’s sacred hierarchy etched into centuries of tradition. Yet in a resurfaced video that’s blowing up online in 2026, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is caught red-handed **barging ahead of the late Queen Elizabeth II** during their only joint public engagement. This wasn’t a one-off slip; critics are calling it the **second blatant instance** of Meghan ignoring the ironclad rule that **no one walks in front of the monarch**—a clear sign of her alleged need to dominate, steer the spotlight, and boss everyone around, from palace staff to her own husband, Prince Harry.
The infamous moment dates back to June 14, 2018, just weeks after Meghan’s fairy-tale wedding to Prince Harry. The Queen, then 92, personally invited the new Duchess for a solo outing to Cheshire—opening the Mersey Gateway Bridge and the Storyhouse Theatre in Chester. It was meant to be a warm welcome, a “double act” of mentorship. Body language experts at the time praised the Queen’s embrace, noting her “twinkle in the eye” and genuine laughter shared with Meghan. But footage from the walkabout tells a different story.
In the viral clip—shared widely on platforms like TikTok, X, and YouTube—viewers see Meghan striding boldly in front of the Queen to greet well-wishers and snatch bouquets of flowers. An aide is caught gesturing “this way please,” directing Meghan to stay behind, yet she presses forward, turning to accept more flowers with a casual “And these?” before smiling and continuing ahead. The Queen glances over, seemingly surprised, as aides appear “stunned.” One lip-reader analysis even captured the moment Meghan addressed the crowd enthusiastically while ignoring the protocol reminder.
This wasn’t isolated. Another infamous incident from the same day shows Meghan getting into the royal car first—despite protocol dictating the monarch enters/exits ahead. Footage captures Meghan asking, “What is your preference?” only for the Queen to politely reply, “You go first.” Critics slammed it as barging, with outraged comments flooding in: “Who barges in front of the most famous and dearly loved queen? Shame shame shame!” and “The Queen is ALWAYS ahead of anybody else.”
Fast-forward, and the pattern feels eerily consistent. Resurfaced clips from later events—like a 2019 Buckingham Palace reception—show Meghan and Harry inadvertently marching ahead of the Queen and then-Prince Charles while others hung back respectfully. Harry even appears to pull Meghan back in some instances, slowing his pace to avoid pulling ahead of senior royals. Detractors argue it’s no accident: Meghan’s alleged “bossy” streak shines through, from redirecting photos at polo matches to dominating interviews and controlling public narratives.
Insiders and royal watchers tie this directly to her dynamic with Prince Harry. Body language breakdowns of their joint appearances often highlight Meghan’s “overbearing” gestures—prolonged hugs, animated interruptions, and steering conversations—leaving Harry looking passive or deflated. Critics claim the same controlling energy that led her to “barge” ahead of the Queen manifests in her marriage: always taking the lead, always amplifying her presence, always needing to be front and center.
The 2018 Cheshire engagement should have been a learning curve—Queen Elizabeth pulling out all the stops to mentor her newest granddaughter-in-law. Meghan later spoke warmly of the day in interviews, recalling the Queen’s kindness with a blanket in the car and bonding over dogs and motherhood. Yet the protocol breaches overshadowed the goodwill, fueling narratives of Meghan’s struggle (or refusal) to adapt to royal hierarchy.
In the years since Megxit, these moments have been weaponized in endless online dissections. Viral compilations label it “disrespectful,” “clueless,” or worse—”calculated power grabs.” With the Queen’s passing in 2022, the clips resurface regularly as proof Meghan never truly grasped—or respected—the institution she joined.
Whether nerves, excitement, or something more intentional, the footage is damning in critics’ eyes: Meghan Markle doesn’t follow; she leads, even when protocol demands otherwise. And if she bosses the Queen in public, imagine the dynamics behind closed doors with Prince Harry.
As these old videos gain new traction in 2026, royal fans are asking: Was this just a rookie mistake, or the first sign of Meghan’s unstoppable drive to take control? One thing’s clear—this “barging” incident remains one of the most talked-about breaches in modern royal history.
Watch the clips for yourself and decide: Innocent gaffe or classic Meghan move? Drop your thoughts below—this royal protocol roast is heating up!
