Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 93rd birthday in spectacular form with Trooping the Colour this weekend. The royal family gathered on the balcony to watch the stunning parade from above, with Prince Louis stealing the scene as he waved to royal fans during the spectacle. But aside from the youngster’s adorable moment, some onlookers may have wondered why there was so much distance between rumoured royal rivals Meghan Markle and the Duchess of Cambridge.

New Mum Meghan, 37, made her first public appearance since giving birth to baby Archie Harrison this weekend.

The Duchess of Sussex accompanied Prince Harry, 34, to Trooping the Colour on Saturday.

While baby Archie was deemed too young to attend the event, Prince William and Kate had all three of their children with them.

Little Prince Louis, who turned one in April, made his Trooping the Colour debut on the balcony.

The young royal was held tight by mum Kate and Dad William while his older siblings – Prince George and Prince Charlotte took pride of place at the front of the balcony.

Why were Meghan and Kate so far apart?

While the Queen took centre stage on the balcony she was flanked by royal family members on either side.

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall were on the Queen’s right followed by Prince William and Kate and their tots.

Kate and her children stood towards the front of the balcony, with unbeatable views of the parade.

Meghan and Prince Harry, on the other hand, were stood to the Queen’s left and towards the back of the balcony.

The positioning of royals on the balcony is to do with Queen’s wish to reinforce a pecking order, a royal expert revealed.

Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, told PEOPLE: “She (Meghan) was not as prominent perhaps as some people might have expected, but there’s a pecking order.

“There was no slight intended, but William being the older, more senior brother would go out [first] with his wife.”

While Meghan and Harry’s position at the back looks like a royal snub, it’s more than likely they stood there so the children could have a good view at the front.

As second in line to the throne, Prince William is entitled to a more prominent position than his brother Harry at royal events.

A palace source told People last year: “There’s no one laying this out, telling her where to stand. And there were a lot of kids who everyone would want at the front.”

While Meghan looked smart in a navy blue and white frock, Kate stunned in a pale yellow gown.

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