'Tearful' Prince Harry 'snubbed' at 'cold and distant' public appearance with royal familyIt was a tough outing for Prince Harry

n 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle embarked on their last outing as working royals with the royal family.

The duo attended the Commonwealth Day Service, but their final appearance was less than a warm family affair.

In fact, Prince Harry was said to be fighting back tears.

Prince Harry snubbed by royal family at Commonwealth Day service

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a surprising appearance at the 2020 Commonwealth Day service, after the order of service distributed prior to the ceremony failed to detail their attendance.

At the time, the Daily Mail reported that Harry and Meghan were “quite sensitive and emotional about it”.

With no mention of the Sussexes, it was a surprise to see Meghan stunning in emerald green on the day. Meanwhile, Harry appeared rather withdrawn.

Prince Harry frowning beside Meghan Markle at the Commonwealth Day service in 2020
It was a tough time for Harry (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Royal author and historian Robert Lacey penned about the occasion: “Observers also noted that Harry’s face was ‘quite tense and unsmiling’ – and that when William sat down close to him, he barely greeted his brother. Throughout the service, Meghan megawatted away with her best TV smile but, as the ceremony progressed, Harry appeared to grow gloomier.

“According to one observer, ‘his accelerated blinking even suggested he might have been fighting back tears’.

Following their appearance, Harry and Meghan took a step away from The Firm for good.

The duo now live in Montecito, California, with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.

A representative for the Sussexes have been contacted for comment.

BBC cancel royal family coverage as they attend the annual Commonwealth Day Service

Meanwhile, the royal family have endured their own snub.

The BBC has has cancelled its live coverage of the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey this afternoon.

The service has been broadcast live on the BBC since 1989.

Today, the broadcaster has opted to show Escape to the Country instead.

The BBC said in a statement: “Our decision not to broadcast the Commonwealth Day ceremony in the same way we’ve done in previous years reflects the difficult choices we have to make in light of our funding challenges.

“BBC News plans to cover the service across its platforms, including the BBC One bulletins and rolling news channel.”

Buckingham Palace have been contacted for comment.

Prince Harry looking down beside Meghan Markle at the Commonwealth Day service in 2020
The couple stepped away from The Firm shortly after (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Commonwealth Day Service today

Today, King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, will also be in attendance, as the royals step out in public this afternoon.

The king said of this important royal calendar fixture: “We join together on this Commonwealth Day at a time of great challenge and great possibility. Across our world, communities and nations face the increasing pressures of conflict, climate change and rapid transformation. Yet it is often in such testing moments that the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth is most clearly revealed.”