Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's PDA At Queen's Procession Sparks Twitter Debate: 'Double Standard'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to hold hands while leaving Westminster Hall in London after Queen Elizabeth II's procession sparked a debate on social media.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived separately for the procession transporting Queen Elizabeth II's coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, but they stood side-by-side during the service.

Footage and photos from the event also showed Prince Harry and Markle holding hands on their walkout, unlike King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Prince Harry and Markle's public display of affection garnered mixed reactions on Twitter, with some celebrating it and others criticizing it as a breach of royal protocol as royal family members are strongly discouraged from showing PDA.

"The woman has no class. Is she manipulating him with her constant, clutching hand holding? Harry, read my sign. Nod once if she's holding you hostage," one critic commented.

Another wrote, "The world sees the breach of royal protocol for the funeral of the Queen. Holding hands looks classless."

"Did my eyes deceive me, or were Harry and Meghan actually holding hands as they walked out of Westminster Hall?! Do they not have any idea how to behave properly?" a third user wrote.

"They're part of the procession," read another tweet. "Is it too much to expect them to walk in their line? Even the horse could stay in their position for 20+ minutes walk. yet Meghan [and] Harry couldn't keep the formation at least until they reach the door?"

Other social media users and royal fans, however, had no problem with Prince Harry and Markle holding hands and even praised the couple's bond.

"Meghan and Harry have such a special and amazing bond that no one can ever take away from them," one person gushed.

Another called Markle a "supportive wife" amid her husband's grief.

Some also pointed out that Prince Harry and Markle weren't the only ones holding hands. Princess Anne's daughter Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall were also holding on to each other during the ceremony.

"Now the press is obsessed with Harry and Meghan holding hands and calling it 'inappropriate' because they are the only ones doing it. Zara Tindall (daughter of Princess Anne) and her husband are also displaying affection. Keep calling the double standard out," one person tweeted.

"You won't hear a single criticism of any other family members holding hands. It's absolutely sickening, the double standards that apply only to Harry and Meghan," another added.

"Other family members who held hands will not be commented on or will be described as providing love and support and applauded. Absolute double standards," a third opined.

Some Twitter users suggested that the attacks against Markle were due to racism.

"How's Harry and Meghan holding hands attention seeking? What kind of godforsaken rotten infested vermin must you be to be 'offended' they held hands at the Queen's funeral? HIS GRANDMOTHER," Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu tweeted. "Every abuse/harassment/attack targeted at them because of racist outrage at Meghan. SICK."

Prince Harry and Markle were making appearances at charity events in the U.K. and Germany earlier this month when Queen Elizabeth II died at age 96 at her Scottish estate Balmoral.

The Duke of Sussex initially flew to his grandmother's bedside alone. Markle reunited with her husband and her in-laws Saturday to pay tribute to the late monarch.