Meghan Markle reveals Sarah Ferguson taught her how to curtsy outside Royal Lodge before she met the Queen for the first time – and admits it was ‘very deep’
- Duchess of Sussex, 39, said she had no idea she had to curtsy to Queen in private
- Claims she ‘never looked up Harry online’ and did no research on Royal Family
- Says Fergie taught her how to curtsy before they met Her Majesty for first time
Meghan Markle had no idea she had to curtsy to the Queen and was taught by Sarah Ferguson outside Royal Lodge moments before meeting Her Majesty for the first time.
Speaking to Oprah Winfrey during her and Harry’s explosive CBS interview this evening, the Duchess, 39, claimed she ‘never looked up her husband online’ when they first started dating and knew little about the British Royal Family growing up.
Meghan told how she first met Prince Harry’s grandmother in a very informal manner at Royal Lodge, the Yorks’ home in Windsor, but was stunned when her husband revealed during the car journey there that she was expected to curtsy.
The mother-to-be said that was the moment ‘the penny dropped’ that her perception about the Firm was ‘very different’ to the reality, and she had to learn how to perform the royal custom ‘very quickly’.
Meghan Markle had no idea she had to curtsy to the Queen and was taught by Sarah Ferguson outside Royal Lodge moments before meeting Her Majesty for the first time (pictured in a teaser clip from the interview)
‘Right in front of the house we practiced and ran in. Fergie ran out and said, “Do you know how to curtsy?’ she recalled.
‘Apparently I did a very deep curtsy, I don’t remember it, and then we sat there and we chatted. I grew up in LA, I see celebrities all the time. it’s not the same. This is a completely different ball game.’
Meghan, dressed in an elegant black belted dress by Giorgio Armani, added: ‘Thank God I didn’t know about the family, thank god I didn’t research, I would have been so in my head about it.’
Fergie – as Meghan referred to the Duchess of York – is renowned for her trademark deep curtsies to Her Majesty.
Fergie – as Meghan referred to the Duchess of York – is renowned for her trademark deep curtsies to Her Majesty (pictured with Princess Beatrice at Ascot)
Despite not being an official member of The Fold for more than two decades, Fergie always enthusiastically greets her former mother-in-law with an elaborate knee bend.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s TV interview with Oprah Winfrey has started in the US and began with the Duchess showing her growing ‘baby bump’ and revealed she and her husband will reveal its gender on the show.
Meghan admitted she entered the Royal Family ‘naively’ and said she was ‘silenced’ by Buckingham Palace officials and felt lonely in London.
She also revealed she was friends with Princess Eugenie – with whom she is believed to still be close – before she met Harry.
Fergie’s Royal Ascot curtsies
The perfect curtsy is a fine art to perfect – but there is one former member of the Royal Family who has become legendary for her sweeping bows.
Despite not being an official member of The Fold for more than two decades, Fergie always enthusiastically greets her former mother-in-law with an elaborate knee bend.
The Duchess of York, 60, appears to long-look forward to her afternoon at Royal Ascot, often excitedly waving at the monarch to welcome her into the Parade Ring.
In 2018, Fergie and Beatrice held hands as they curtsied to the Queen today on her arrival in the parade ring at Royal Ascot
This year is her fifth attending the Berkshire racecourse event, and she has become famed among royal fans for her enthusiastic displays at the occasion.
In 2018, she joined ex-husband Prince Andrew and their daughter Princess Beatrice, proving she hadn’t forgotten how to curtsy as she bobbed in deference to the monarch.
Clutching her daughter’s hand, she swept into a low curtsey as her former mother-in-law rode past in the royal carriage.
It was a similar scene in 2017, when Fergie appeared alongside Beatrice at the event and was seen enthusiastically waving to the Queen before bending into a low curtsy.
Fergie looked ecstatic in 2017 as she welcomed the Queen to Ascot with a very enthusiastic wave, joined by her daughter Princess Beatrice
On this occasion, she appeared to call out to Her Majesty as she rode past in her carriage.
Meanwhile in 2016, the mother-daughter duo were once again joined by Fergie’s ex husband Prince Andrew.
The Duchess of York beamed at the Queen as she rode past, curtsying low while Beatrice and Andrew proudly looked on.
On the rainy summer day, Fergie used her umbrella to assist in helping her curtsy as low as she could.
In 2016, the Duchess of York showed that she hasn’t forgotten royal protocol today as she curtsied to the Queen as her carriage arrived at Royal Ascot
And in 2015 it was a proper family affair at the event, as the usual trio were joined by Princess Eugenie and her now-husband Jack Brooksbank.
Fergie appeared to have perfected the curtsy even then, dropping one knee low to the ground while Prince Andrew offered a respectful bow.
Dropping down: Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, sweeps the Queen a low curtsy while ex-husband Prince Andrew bows in 2015
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