Ever had that dream where you’re trying to hold someone’s hand and they just... walk away? Now imagine doing that in front of a wall of paparazzi in New York City. That’s basically what happened with the Meghan Harry TIME100 awkward moment, and honestly, the internet still hasn't moved on.
It was April 2025. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex rolled up to the TIME100 Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center. The energy was high. Meghan looked every bit the Hollywood star in a white suit that some critics joked looked a little "gargantuan," but hey, fashion is subjective. The real drama, though, wasn’t the outfit. It was the three seconds of fumbled chivalry that launched a thousand body language breakdowns.
The Handshake That Wasn't
As they stepped out of the car, Harry did the "royal gentleman" thing. He reached out his hand to help Meghan. Standard stuff, right? Except Meghan was already halfway into a hug with a friend waiting nearby. She didn't even look back.
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Harry was left standing there, hand out, clutching at thin air for a beat before he quickly jammed his hands into his pockets and adjusted his jacket. It was one of those "blink and you'll miss it" moments that becomes a permanent meme the second it hits X (formerly Twitter).
Body language expert Traci Brown noted that Harry seemed to be "adapting"—basically trying to burn off the sudden stress of being left hanging. You’ve probably done it too. You go for a high five, get ignored, and suddenly you’re very interested in checking your watch or smoothing your hair.
But when you're a Prince, that "invisible" moment is captured in 4K.
Why the Internet Lost Its Mind
People love a narrative. For some, this was "proof" of marital tension. For others, it was just a busy woman focused on her event.
- The "Spare" Dynamic: Critics like Judi James pointed out that Harry looked like he was "lurking" in the background. In this setting, Meghan was the star. She was there to talk about her Netflix projects and her brand.
- The Celebrity vs. Royal Clash: Harry still moves with the stiff, formal protocols of a British Royal. Meghan moves like a California celebrity. Those two styles don't always sync up when you're getting out of a black SUV in Manhattan.
- The "Recovery" Pose: After the hand-snub, Harry's "frog-leg" stance—knees slightly bent, hands-in-pockets—was labeled as peak awkwardness by analysts.
Honestly, it probably wasn't that deep. If you've ever tried to coordinate a group entrance to a wedding or a party, you know how easy it is to lose track of your partner for a second. But "Couple Has Slightly Uncoordinated Entrance" doesn't make for a viral headline.
Not the First Time Things Got Weird
This isn't the first Meghan Harry TIME100 awkward moment to go viral. We have to go back to 2021, when they first graced the cover of the TIME100 "Most Influential People" issue.
That photo was... a lot.
Harry was tucked behind Meghan, resting a hand on her shoulder. The retouching was so heavy that people genuinely asked if they were CGI. The height difference was also a major talking point. Harry is about 6'1", and Meghan is roughly 5'6", yet in the photo, they looked almost eye-to-eye.
Twitter had a field day. Some called Harry her "hairdresser" because of the way he was positioned behind her. Others said it looked like he was using her as a human shield. It was a "power pose" that ended up feeling a bit forced, which is usually what happens when you try too hard to look "influential."
The "Equal Partners" Defense
TIME'S photo editor, Dilys Ng, argued the 2021 cover captured their "powerful dynamics as equal partners." And to be fair, on the way out of the 2025 summit, the couple looked totally fine. They were walking in sync, smiling, and the "fuming" Harry people claimed to see earlier had vanished.
What This Teaches Us About Modern PR
The Sussexes are in a tough spot. They want to be seen as a power couple, but the more they "stage" their appearances, the more people look for the cracks.
- Authenticity over perfection: The moments people actually liked were the candid ones—like at the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver where Meghan was caught on camera filming Harry making a goofy face.
- The "Lead" vs. "Support" struggle: Harry seems to be leaning into a supportive role. Whether he's actually comfortable with that or just "playing the part" is the million-dollar question that keeps the tabloids in business.
If you’re worried about your own awkward public moments, just remember: at least there isn’t a body language expert on the nightly news explaining why the way you held your coffee cup means your marriage is over.
Next Steps for the Curious:
If you want to see the "awkward" moment for yourself, search for the TIME100 Summit 2025 arrival video. Pay close attention to the three seconds after Meghan exits the car. Compare that to their exit from the building later that evening—you’ll see a massive difference in how they handle the cameras. It’s a masterclass in how public figures "reset" their image in real-time.