Meghan slammed for 'disrespecting' Queen

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth at the Queen's Young Leaders Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Photo / Getty Images

People on social media have slammed the newest royal, Meghan Markle, for "breaking" royal protocol at an event hosted by the Queen.

While posing for a photo at the Queen's Young Leaders Awards at Buckingham Palace, the Duchess of Sussex crossed her legs as she sat next to her husband, Prince Harry and the Queen.

Instagram users expressed outrage at the "disrespectful" way Meghan is sitting.

"Duchess of Sussex has her legs crossed wrong. What a disrespect to the queen. All royal ladies cross at the ankles or put both legs off to the side," one Royal Watcher wrote on Facebook.

"She's still in training. They should be crossed and slanted at the ankles not over. I've never seen Duchess Catherine with her legs crossed over," an Instagram user added.

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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

A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@kensingtonroyal) on Jun 26, 2018 at 1:30pm PDT

However, fans of Meghan promptly hit back.

"The bottom line is this: Legs crossed or uncrossed, The Duchess of Sussex looked simply gorgeous and perfectly regal today," an Instagram user commented.

While on Facebook, Gen Dye wrote: "There isn't a mandatory way for them to cross their legs but there is a better way to cross them so that the evil paparazzi don't get an awkward picture."

Other social media users pointed out something much "more important" than how the Duchess was sitting — the diversity of the people in the photo.

"It's sad when some of you feel the need to criticise and/or point the way Megan has her legs crossed instead of focusing on what this event is about," another said.

"Kudos to the UK for embracing diversity in this photo. That's more important than how the Duchess sat," the Instagram user wrote.

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This evening The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined The Queen for the @queensyoungleaders at Buckingham Palace. The award recognises and celebrates inspiring young people from across the Commonwealth who are taking the lead in their communities and using their skills to transform lives. The Duke made a short speech before The Queen presented the Awards, where he said: “You are the hope and optimism the world needs and we will all do everything that we can to support you in it.” Find out more at @TheRoyalFamily.

A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@kensingtonroyal) on Jun 26, 2018 at 1:11pm PDT

Although female royal family members tend to adopt the "duchess slant" when seated (knees and ankles together, knees slanted to one side), Catherine Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Diana have also been pictured crossing their legs.

"Typically the 'Duchess slant' is used when a lady has to sit for an extended amount of time while keeping poise and posture," etiquette expert Myka Meier told GoodHousekeeping.com.