Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Cotswolds Pub — Witness Claims They Only Held Hands When Photographers Arrived
A witness claims Harry and Meghan's visit to a Cotswolds pub was staged for photographers. Here's what the staff and onlookers reportedly said.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were spotted at The Falkland Arms pub in Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds. But according to one witness sitting outside, the outing may not have been as casual as it appeared.
The anonymous witness said they watched the couple arrive and immediately noticed something unusual. “She appeared to be ignoring Harry, and they only became alive and holding hands when the photographers came over.”
For more on royal family rumors, read our coverage of the “three shifty people” rumor that won’t die.
What Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Ordered at The Falkland Arms
Details of the lunch were widely reported. Inside the 16th-century pub, Prince Harry ordered chicken, ham and leek pie with seasonal vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes and gravy. Meghan Markle chose gluten-free beer-battered haddock and chips with mushy peas and tartare sauce.
A staff member later said: “They were treated no differently to any other customer.” She added a more revealing comment: “I got the impression they weren’t very happy being here.”
Why the Cotswolds Pub Visit Raised Questions
Royal watchers have described the pair of Cotswolds pub visits as looking forced. The central question many are asking is: how long can Prince Harry and Meghan Markle keep up the appearance of a relaxed, happy outing — and what do they hope to achieve by it?
According to royal commentators, the couple continues to face criticism over their public image and their strained relationship with the rest of the royal family. Appearances like this one are widely viewed as attempts to reshape the narrative.
For more on royal family tensions, read our coverage of the ongoing rift between Prince Harry and King Charles and Prince Harry’s reported financial situation.
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The staff member’s comments have drawn particular attention. She confirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle received no special treatment and were handled like any other customers. However, her observation that the couple “weren’t very happy being here” has been widely cited by commentators as evidence that the smiling, hand-holding photos did not reflect the full atmosphere of the visit.
For more on how the public views the couple, read our coverage of the rumors that continue to follow Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.