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Royals holding hands: all the times the family supported one another

The royal family's sweet way of showing affection

royals holding hands
Melanie Macleod
Wellness Editor
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Following Queen Elizabeth II's coffin procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, her grandson Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, could be seen holding hands on the sombre occasion.

SEE: Prince Harry overcome with emotion following moving procession

They weren't the only royal family members to support one another during the emotional time, though. Prince Harry's cousin Zara Tindall was seen holding her husband, Mike Tindall's hand, too. While there is much discussion about Harry and Meghan's tactile displays of affection, it's not unheard of for members of the royal family to hold hands during public engagements.

WATCH: King Charles, Princess Anne and Princes William, Harry, Edward and Andrew, walk behind Queen Elizabeth's coffin

From Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, to the Prince and Princess of Wales, read on for the emotional occasions royals have held hands.

meghan harry coffin holding hands© Photo: Getty Images

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle supported each other following Queen Elizabeth II's coffin procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall.

harry meghan holding hands© Photo: Getty Images

The couple, who are parents to Archie Harrison and Lilibet Diana, clutched hands as they exited the hall.

zara mike holding hands© Photo: Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter, Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall also held hands as they made their way out of Westminster Hall.

sophie louise hands© Photo: Getty Images

Earlier during the mourning period for Her Majesty, Sophie Wessex and her daughter Lady Louise Windsor held hands as they greeted crowds at Balmoral.

william kate hands© Photo: Getty Images

As future king, it's rare to see the Prince of Wales hold hands with his wife, Princess Kate, though on this occasion in 2016 they were seen showing a rare display of affection, on a trip to Belfast.

kate william holding hands© Photo: Getty Images

Prince William and Princess Kate also held hands the day after their wedding, as they set off on their honeymoon.

camilla charles hands© Photo: Getty Images

King Charles III can be seen helping his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, on unsteady ground in Pakistan in 2006.

king charles camilla holding hands© Photo: Getty Images

Ever the gentleman, King Charles III also held hands with his wife to steady her as she dismounted a boat in Portsmouth in 2014.

queen prince philip holding hands© Photo: Getty Images

During her 70-year reign, it was rare to see public displays of affection between Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, but the lifelong partners were spotted holding hands in 2015 after leaving a service at St Pauls Cathedral in London.

bea edo hands© Photo: Getty Images

Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi interlinked fingers following a carol concert in December 2021.

eugenie jack hands© Photo: Getty Images

Princess Eugenie held hands with her husband, Jack Brooksbank, while out and about in London in 2013.

When it comes to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the couple tends to hold hands during every engagement, resulting in plenty of heart-warming photos of the pair holding hands - scroll on for our top picks, and prepare to feel emotional.

harry meghan hands© Photo: Getty Images

The Sussexes looked loved up in London in 2018 in smart evening attire.

meghan harry hands© Photo: Getty Images

On a more formal occasion in 2020, Meghan and Harry held hands as they arrived at the Commonwealth Day Service in London.

meghan harry holding hands© Photo: Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess held one another close on the red carpet at the premiere of The Lion King in 2019.

sussex holding hands© Photo: Getty Images

March 2018 also saw the couple clutch one another's hands during a walkabout, always providing support to each other.

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