'Creepy': Social Media's Verdict on Meghan Markle's Gesture After It Was Spotted on Three Very Different People

While Meghan Markle’s recent Australia trip was marred with several controversies, footage showing she tapping the hands of others has drawn significant attention on social media.

The clip showed Markle making contact with the left index finger of a staff member at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital, after which many social media users observed that she had done the same with King Charles and Kate Middleton in the past.

A separate video compiled two instances of the gesture — one involving the staff member in Australia and another involving King Charles, at St. George's Chapel during her May 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, where she was seen giving the monarch a subtle touch as they met along the aisle, a gesture that did not go unnoticed by the internet.

Markle was also observed making the same gesture toward Kate Middleton at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022, when the duchess, dressed in gloves, brushed her left hand against Kate's as she moved toward her seat

During that moment, the As Ever founder tapped the Duchess of Cambridge on the front of her hand, which came as a surprising move to many since both women are known to have a distant and reportedly cool relationship.

As soon as the footage circulated, social media users began offering their interpretations. Many users tried to decode the real meaning of the gesture, and the majority of them felt that Meghan Markle wished to assert her dominance over the other person subtly.

Some users described the gesture in pointed terms, with one calling it "creepy." One user wrote on X, “To me it's symbolic of her need to control... 'I have the upper hand, and this is a little reminder to let you know, I run the show.”

Another social media user stated, “I'm going to say it’s just another way she tries to control people and/or show dominance. I don't think I have ever seen anybody who has as many tics.”

One of the users on X commented, “It's how witches try to curse their victims.” A body language expert also described the difference between someone tapping the fingers above and below someone’s hand. Another social media user chimed in, “She touches people too much, does not respect personal boundaries.”

After analyzing the video, expert Inbaal Honigman for Casino.ca told Radar Online, “The positioning of this one-finger tap can be meaningful. When the touching finger is placed over the other person's hand, it indicates a desire for control, whereas if the finger were placed below the other person's hand, it's a more meek way of requesting attention.”

Honigman also pointed out that Meghan Markle’s way of touching others is very different from how she treats Prince Harry. The body language expert said, “When Meghan is seen tapping her husband's back or arm from behind, it urges him to move forward, taking control of the situation.”

She added, “Meghan Markle's one-finger tap is a confidential type of social greeting. It asks for attention in a quiet yet personal way. Meghan's single-finger tap, in different situations, appears to say 'hello,' 'thanks,' or 'excuse me,' just like a smile could send varied messages depending on the environment.

The fact that Meghan uses just one finger for this move makes it more subtle than placing her whole palm over someone's hand. A five-finger tap would be warmer and more personable, while the one-finger tap is colder and more discreet. Meghan may believe her tiny tap to be more elegant and graceful than a potentially larger greeting.”