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Charity worker tells of moment Meghan Markle ignored Royal protocol to give her a hug
The former actress broke royal protocol by hugging Alice Thompson during a visit to the Scottish capital yesterday
THE charity worker embraced by Meghan Markle today revealed how Prince Harry’s wife-to-be brushed her hand away when she went to shake it – only to hug her instead.
The former actress broke royal protocol by throwing her arms around Alice Thompson during a visit to Edinburgh yesterday.
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Meghan embraced the charity worker after she told the Suits actress she was "deeply inspired" by her 2015 UN Women’s speech.
Miss Thompson co-founded Scottish charity Social Bite which provides employment for the homeless.
Speaking about the emotional moment today, she said: “It was pretty lovely I was so taken with her.
"I told her that as a woman in business who had lived in the shadow of my male business partner for several years due to my own insecurities about my own ability to compete or perform.
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“I found her speech she made in 2015 to the UN inspirational and motivating and that it encouraged me to speak up a bit more and be a girl boss.
“She seemed really touched and a tad emotional. She said that she was really nervous to give that speech and that it meant a lot to her that it had inspired me to continue going with something like Social Bite.
She added: “At that point inside the shop she gave me a little cuddle, a little sideways squeeze.
"Then outside the shop I went to shake her hand and she nudged it out of the way and embraced me with a cuddle.
"It was definitely not out of the blue.
"It was a continuation of what happened inside.
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“I wouldn't know about any of the other Royals, but they were much more down to earth than I imagined.
"Before we came my business partner, Josh, was trying to get all the formalities right.
“He was saying, 'Okay, so it's your Royal Highness and Miss Markle after first meeting, but what do we call him after that?'”
The charity worker added: “Personally, I'm rubbish at that stuff. At the end when they were leaving we had a laugh. I shook Harry's hand and I said, 'I'm so sorry, I haven't called you Your Royal Highness once today'.
'He laughed and said, 'Don't be silly'. They are really lovely genuine people, which was really nice. It made the whole day very comfortable.'
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During her UN speech, Meghan discussed female empowerment and a particular incident during her childhood which sparked her to campaign for equality for women.
Meanwhile yesterday Prince Harry dished out praise to a ginger-bearded hipster as he toured the city as part of a series of royal engagements leading up to their wedding on May 19 this year.
The couple were chatting to some of their well-wishers when Harry singled out a ginger bearded man and cried: "Love your beard, well done!"
During the engagement Meghan immediately endeared herself to the heaving crowds with a £1,855 Burberry tartan coat inspired by Scots army regiment Black Watch.
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The future royal also told the waiting crowds that her hen do was already "sorted" and "will be fun".
They met members of the public during a walkabout in the Scottish capital on the eve of Valentine’s Day.
The trip to Scotland marks the fourth public appearance Meghan, 36, and Harry, 33, have made together.
It follows their successful visits to Nottingham, Brixton in South London and Cardiff in the months that followed their engagement announcement in November.
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