Princess Kate's brutal reaction to Meghan Markle's Trooping the Colour joke revealed

Meghan Markle's first Trooping the Colour appearance should have been one of the defining moments of her early royal life. Fresh from her fairytale wedding to Prince Harry back, the Duchess of Sussex joined the Royal Family for the monarch's annual birthday celebrations just weeks aftersaying "I do" at Windsor Castle.

But according to Prince Harry's memoir, Spare, one seemingly innocent remark from Meghan was met with what he described as a painfully awkward response from Princess Catherine. The now-famous exchange allegedly took place during Trooping the Colour in June 2018, which was Meghan's first experience of one of the monarchy's oldest and most important traditions.

The event, which marks the Sovereign's official birthday, is steeped in military pageantry and royal protocol, bringing together senior members of the Royal Family for a day of celebrations watched by millions worldwide.

At the time, Meghan, 44, was still adjusting to royal life and experiencing many of the family's traditions for the very first time. In his memoir, Harry recalled how Princess Kate asked Meghan what she thought of the spectacle unfolding around them.

According to the Duke, Meghan replied with a simple joke, "Colourful." While the response may have been intended as light-hearted, Harry claimed it landed with an uncomfortable thud.

Writing in Spare, he explained: "A yawning silence threatened to swallow us all whole". The awkward moment came during a day that otherwise appeared to be a significant milestone for the newlywed Duchess.

Meghan arrived at Horse Guards Parade alongside Prince Harry in a carriage, sharing the journey with Queen Elizabeth II's cousin, the Duke of Kent.

Thousands of spectators packed The Mall and Horse Guards Parade to watch the celebrations, while millions more tuned in around the world to witness the annual display of military precision and royal pageantry.

Trooping the Colour remains one of the biggest fixtures in the royal calendar. More than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and hundreds of musicians take part in the spectacle each year as the nation marks the monarch's official birthday.

However, much has changed since Meghan's first appearance seven years ago. Following their decision to step back as senior working royals in 2020, Harry and Meghan have not taken part in the public celebrations alongside the wider Royal Family. And just last weekend they missed Peter and Harriet Phillip's wedding, despite it being a private event.

King Charles is expected to take centre stage on the Buckingham Palace balcony following the parade. He will be joined by Prince William and Princess Catherine, together with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Other senior working royals, including Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and members of the wider royal family, are also expected to appear during the traditional balcony gathering and RAF flypast.