Prince Harry’s Malala Encounter Before Meghan Markle Left Him ‘Red-Faced’ — Report

Santanu DasWed, October 14, 2026 at 7:49 AM UTC

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Photo Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesPrince Harry had an awkward first encounter with Malala Yousafzai years before Meghan Markle befriended the activist. The Duke of Sussex met the activist backstage at a 2014 youth event, where a photo attempt quickly went sideways. According to a report, Yousafzai’s mother loudly objected when Harry put an arm around her daughter. The moment […] The post Prince Harry’s Malala Encounter Before Meghan Markle Left Him ‘Red-Faced’ — Report appeared first on Reality Tea .

Prince Harry had an awkward first encounter with Malala Yousafzai years before Meghan Markle befriended the activist. The Duke of Sussex met the activist backstage at a 2014 youth event, where a photo attempt quickly went sideways. According to a report, Yousafzai’s mother loudly objected when Harry put an arm around her daughter. The moment reportedly left him “so red in his face.” More than a decade later, Meghan and Yousafzai are now working together on girls’ education.

Prince Harry reportedly had awkward Malala encounter years before Meghan Markle meeting

HELLO! Magazine noted that the encounter happened in 2014. WE Day co-founder Craig Kielburger said he had the “honour to introduce Prince Harry to Malala.” Harry then put his arm around Malala Yousafzai for a photograph. However, Kielburger recalled Yousafzai’s mother shouting, “No, no no,” from nearby.

He said the Urdu warning translated to, “Not unless you marry her can you touch her.” Meanwhile, Harry quickly moved his arm and clasped his hands in front. Kielburger said, “The Prince was so red in his face,” while Yousafzai looked embarrassed.

Afterward, the pair still posed together, although their body language reportedly changed considerably. Kielburger said they stood “like two teenagers would,” with “no hands touching.” He compared the setup to teenagers “getting ready to go to a prom.” Still, he remembered the incident warmly.

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Kielburger called the scene “incredibly sweet and endearing.” The encounter took place backstage at WE Day London at Wembley Arena. Harry also delivered a speech during the youth empowerment event. For context, the moment happened six years before Meghan Markle publicly joined Yousafzai for a 2020 video conversation.

Fast forward to 2026, the Duchess and Yousafzai had a much smoother London meeting. The two women enjoyed afternoon tea at Claridge’s before announcing a charitable partnership. Their joint message said, “When we support the girls of today, we empower the women of tomorrow.” It added, “Access to education is the key to unlocking this.”

Additionally, net proceeds from selected As Ever jams and teas were pledged to Malala Fund. The initiative marked International Day of the Girl on October 11. Their caption concluded, “Tea for Two has never felt so good.”

The post Prince Harry’s Malala Encounter Before Meghan Markle Left Him ‘Red-Faced’ — Report appeared first on Reality Tea.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”