Did Meghan Markle break royal custom during overseas tour with Prince Harry?

Meghan Markle, 37, made her first official trip abroad with her husband Prince Harry, 34, last month.

The royal couple headed to New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Tonga on a whirlwind 16-day tour.

Following the announcement of Meghan’s pregnancy, some of the events were cancelled to allow her to rest.

One which they both attended was in Fiji, to a welcome ceremony called Veiqaraqaravi Vakavanua.

Many suggested Meghan may have committed a faux pas during the event.

She chose to wear a white dress by Australian label Zimmerman, with a Stephen Jones fascinator to match.

As guests, Meghan sat on a raised stage with Prince Harry while drinking a bowl of kava, part of the welcoming ceremony.

However, Fiji tradition asks those partaking in it to not wear a hat as a sign of respect.

Meghan’s fascinator remained on, appearing to have not been alerted to the tradition.

The Fiji tourist website states: “Avoid wearing a hat in a village as it is considered an insult to the village chief,” with the chief of Viseisei present at the ceremony.

Daily Mail journalist Rebecca English also confirmed on Twitter: “The couple will sit on a raised Dias with everyone seated below them as a mark of respect.

”No-one is allowed to wear anything on their heads or have anything above their head like an umbrella.”

Many people on social media questioned why she kept her fascinator on during the event.

However, it is likely that, as they were the guests of honour, a degree of understanding was allowed by locals.

The royals often break with royal tradition, in particular, Meghan and Kate.

Both of them have often been spotted hugging fans and children in the crowds during a visit.

Even Prince Harry and Prince William have broken the rule, something they most likely learned from Diana who often hugged members of the crowd.

The Queen rarely hugs members of the public, with the shock of many when she was spotted with an arm around former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Who is Meghan Markle? Quick profile

Meghan Markle was born Rachel Meghan Markle, on August 4, 1981 to parents Doria Ragland and father Thomas Markle.

Her father was previously married to Roslyn Loveless and Meghan has two elder half sibling - sister Samantha Markle and brother Thomas Markle Junior.

Actress

Meghan’s first television appearance in the USA was in an episode of the medical drama General Hospital in 2002.

She later moved on to roles in CSI, Without a Trace and Castle along with bit parts in Hollywood films including Get Him to the Greek, Remember Me and Horrible Bosses.

Meghan was also a "briefcase girl" on Deal or No Deal - but her most famous role was as Rachel Zane in legal drama Suits, which launched in 2011.

She was written out in the finale of the seventh series when her character got married, which aired in April 2018 - just before she got married herself.

Charity and humanitarian work

Meghan Markle’s career in television has gone hand-in-hand with her support for causes close to her heart.

She wrote about the stigma around menstrual health in an article for Time magazine and was a Global Ambassador for World Vision Canada - with whom she travelled to Rwanda for the charity's Clean Water Campaign.

And her commitment to gender equality has seen her work with the United Nations - receiving a standing ovation in 2015 for her speech to mark International Women’s Day.

Relationships

In September 2011, she wed film producer Trevor Engelson, who she began dating in 2004.

But the pair divorced two years later in August 2013, citing irreconcilable difference.

She was in a relationship with celebrity chef Cory Vitiello for almost two years, before they broke it off in 2016 but the two remain good friends.

And in June 2016, she met Prince Harry on a blind date set up by a mutual friend.

Their relationship began in October that year and just over one year later, on November 27, 2017, the pair announced their engagement.

They married on May 19, 2018 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Meghan’s heritage

Some have claimed Meghan Markle is the first mixed-race member of the Royal Family.

Historians are still arguing about Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III.

But Meghan will be the first royal to openly embrace a mixed-race heritage.

She has written about the difficulties of being a biracial actress in Hollywood as she claims she is not black enough for some roles and not white enough for others.

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