WhenMeghan Marklemade herofficial Trooping the Colour debutlast Saturday, she wasn’t front and center on the palace balcony.
The new Duchess of Sussex notably stood behind her sister-in-law,Kate Middleton, and brother-in-law,Prince William— and it all came down to a royal “pecking order.”
“She was not as prominent perhaps as some people might have expected, but there’s a pecking order,” Joe Little, managing editor ofMajestymagazine, tells PEOPLE. “There was no slight intended, but William being the older, more senior brother would go out [first] with his wife.”
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DuringKate’s Trooping the Color debutin 2011, she stood in the front, but to the far left of the balcony.
“[Meghan] was still in a good position,” adds Little. “She was central rather than the alternative of being in the front row and along the balcony to the left or right.”
A palace source says Meghan’s balcony position “would have come from her. There’s no one laying this out, telling her where to stand. And there were a lot of kids who everyone would want at the front.”
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During the annual celebration, whichhonors Queen Elizabeth’s birthday, the newest royal arrived to Buckingham Palace alongside her husband, Prince Harry. The couple recently returned fromtheir honeymoonafter tying the knot on May 19.
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For more onMeghan Markle’s big balcony debut, check out this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
The day started with a grand military parade and the arrivals of the royals via carriages. Meghan and Harry shared a carriage ride (her second!), while the Queen arrived on her own.
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In addition to the Queen,Prince WilliamandKate Middleton, and their children,Prince GeorgeandPrincess Charlotte(Prince Louisstayed home during the festivities!).Prince Philip,Prince Charles, andCamilla, Duchess of Cornwallwere also in attendance.
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And Meghan was all smiles as she took in the historic annual event.
“She was still near the heart of the action,” Little says.
source: people.com
