Celebrity

During a photo session at the ceremony, instead of lounging in the signature 'duchess slant,' the Duchess of Sussex crosses her legs at the knees.

• Jun 28, 2018

AceShowbiz - Meghan Markle has been making headlines for apparently breaking traditional etiquette. The Duchess of Sussex has caused a controversy for the way she sat at Queen Elizabeth II's Young Leaders Awards ceremony, which she attended alongside husband Prince Harry and the Queen.

In a video circulated online, Meghan, who was looking stunning in a beige custom Prada featuring double pressed blouse and matching skirt, was seen taking her seat at the start of the awards ceremony for a photo session. Instead of lounging in the signature "duchess slant," she crossed her legs at the knees.

Harry and Meghan join the Queen and the Queen’s Young Leaders for their photo at the palace this evening #royal #dukeandduchessofsussex #harryandmeghan @people

Sebuah kiriman dibagikan oleh Simon Perry (@sperrypeoplemag) pada 26 Jun 2018 jam 1:32 PDT

There is no official protocol on how royal women have to sit near the Queen. However, Myka Meier, the founder of Beaumont Etiquette, shares that "the most formal way for a lady to sit is with her knees and ankles together at all times." Meier adds, "[The] biggest etiquette mistakes a lady can make" is to cross her legs at the knee.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with the fourth and final @QueensYoungLeaders at the Awards ceremony hosted by The Queen this evening. The Awards recognise and celebrate inspirational young leaders from across the Commonwealth. 📷PA

Sebuah kiriman dibagikan oleh Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) pada 26 Jun 2018 jam 1:30 PDT

While crossing their legs at the knee is allegedly unacceptable, a lady is allowed to cross their legs at the ankle. "It's sophisticated, protects vulnerabilities and looks fabulous in photos," Meier says.

Meghan herself demonstrated it during her royal engagement with the Queen earlier this month. The royals attended the opening of the Mersey Gateway Bridge.

At the opening of the Mersey Gateway Bridge, The Duchess of Sussex joins The Queen to watch a performance by local schoolchildren #RoyalVisitCheshire

Sebuah kiriman dibagikan oleh Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) pada 14 Jun 2018 jam 6:10 PDT

Meier explains that the "duchess slant" is "the perfect pose for when a camera is shooting directly in front of you because by slightly slanting the knees to create a zig-zag effect when wearing a dress or skirt, your legs are angled so that the camera only shoots the sides of your legs and protects your modesty." She goes saying that it has "a lengthening effect on the legs."

"The key with the technique is to square your shoulders straight ahead while maintaining perfect posture. Keeping knees and ankles together at all times, position your legs so that you create a slant, angling your knees to the side," she adds. "Hands should be folded one over the other and placed in your lap."

For those of you asking what I think of Meghan’s sitting etiquette from seeing photos of her this week at Buckingham Palace, I think she has her own style and is doing just beautifully. She is showing respect through her actions and I personally think she looks incredibly elegant - Bravo to The Duchess!! ❤️ “The Duchess Slant, is a distinctive etiquette move, in which the knees and ankles are clasped firmly and the legs are slanted to the side while sitting, creating a flattering silhouette. A term coined by Beaumont Etiquette founder and Royal etiquette expert, Myka Meier” -People Magazine @people ❤️ ☝️ Pics of Princess Diana & The Duchess of Cambridge doing their versions of The Duchess Slant . “Typically the ‘duchess slant’ is used when a lady has to sit for an extended amount of time while keeping poise and posture,” Myka tells PEOPLE. “It is the perfect pose for when a camera is shooting directly in front of you because by slightly slanting the knees to create a zig-zag effect when wearing a dress or skirt, your legs are angled so that the camera only shoots the sides of your legs and protects your modesty.”

Sebuah kiriman dibagikan oleh Myka Meier (@mykameier) pada 27 Jun 2018 jam 6:57 PDT

However, the royal etiquette expert doesn't entirely say what Meghan did at the Buckingham Palace event is wrong. Writing on her Instagram account, she says, "I think [Meghan] has her own style and is doing just beautifully. She is showing respect through her actions and I personally think she looks incredibly elegant - Bravo to The Duchess!!"