A clip from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s visit to Nottingham last week is going viral, after the former Suits actress appeared to give Black fans enthusiastic hugs while greeting Caucasian fans with handshakes instead. And the internet couldn’t help but compare the moment to Barack Obama and one of the most famous Key & Peele sketches of all time! Check it out here.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s October 15th visit was special for several reasons. Not only was it their first joint public engagement since returning to the U.K., but it was also a full-circle moment, as Nottingham was the location of their first official appearance together after announcing their engagement back in 2017. However, we have a feeling this particular hugging and handshaking moment is what some social media users will remember most!
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Meghan Markle's Nottingham Greeting Sparks Barack Obama And 'Key & Peele' Comparisons
Meghan wore a monochrome burgundy look consisting of a chic oversized coat, matching midi skirt and turtleneck, and styled her hair in a slicked-back ponytail for the visit. Many fans turned out to see the couple, which some social media users thought signaled a change in how they are perceived. Of course, there were still people criticizing everything from Meghan's oversized outfit to the way she interacted with fans.
But one of the most talked-about moments came at the Community Recording Studio, when Meghan appeared to shake hands with white fans before giving Black fans much more enthusiastic, full-body hugs. And for anyone familiar with the famous Key & Peele "Obama Meet & Greet" sketch, the resemblance was impossible to miss!
In the 2014 comedy sketch, Jordan Peele plays then-President Barack Obama greeting a crowd after delivering a speech. He gives the white people stiff, formal handshakes and polite nods, but immediately switches to enthusiastic daps and warm hugs when he reaches Black supporters.
The sketch was actually inspired by Obama's own interactions with the U.S. Olympic basketball team back in 2012. Then, in 2024, the former president seemingly brought the sketch to life all over again when he greeted Team USA's basketball players ahead of the Paris Olympics. Obama was seen giving players, including LeBron James and Stephen Curry, enthusiastic daps and hugs, while greeting white members of the coaching staff with more traditional handshakes.
Naturally, the footage went viral, with many people pointing out how closely it resembled the comedy sketch. And now Meghan appears to have given the internet another reason to revisit it!
Internet Reactions
"She did an Obama," wrote one Facebook user after watching the clip of Prince Harry and Meghan. "President Obama did it first tho that's where they got the skit idea with the dap up scene lol pure comedy," noted a second, as a third exclaimed: "I actually got that reference. So funny!"
"And the hugs were full body too lol. That skit will never stop being amazing," commented a fourth. "Skits be previews of life whole time," joked a fifth. "She hugs only one color lol," observed a sixth, while a seventh predicted: "Oh hell, they gonna call her racist." "She didn't even mess around," quipped an eighth.
Not everyone focused on the Key & Peele comparison, however, as several fans thought Meghan's warm interactions with the crowd were something to celebrate. "I love this," began one fan, adding: "It's clear she double checked with folks before just going in for a hug but I love how we are when we are outnumbered in spaces. I know those hugs were empowering."
"Cause we love her and she knows we love her," wrote a second. "She felt the energy!" exclaimed a third. "Hilarious! But love her," commented a fourth, while a fifth added: "Oohh this tickled me!"
Others were reminded of Princess Diana, who was famous for her warm and affectionate approach to meeting members of the public. "All I can see is Diana hugging everyone," wrote a sixth fan. "What I do see is a non-stuffy royal actually acting like a human being quite like Princess Diana did. Way to go Meghan & Harry," praised a seventh.
