Moment Meghan ‘fluffed’ her lines in first ever speech as a working royal – and what she said afterwards to the staff member who caused the mishap

Just three months after it was announced that Meghan Markle had become engaged to Prince Harry, the soon-to-be-Duchess of Sussex encountered her first taste of life as a working royal – and it proved a rather awkward moment.

Appearing at the esteemed 2018 Endeavour Fund Awards, which seeks to recognise the achievements of wounded army personnel, Meghan’s first major moment in the spotlight was almost thrown into complete disarray when she ‘fluffed’ her lines onstage.

As Meghan headed to the stage at London’s Goldsmiths’ Hall to co-present a Celebrating Excellence Award with the previous winner, a man named Neil Heritage, the royal-in-waiting oozed confidence and expressed how ‘truly privileged’ she felt to be there.

Meghan began: ‘The second prize of the evening is awarded to an individual who has endeavoured to achieve excellence in their chosen sport or adventures challenge.’ 

The future Duchess then handed the microphone over to Mr Heritage, a British Army veteran, who unfortunately struggled to find the next line in the all-important script. 

Yet Meghan handled the awkward interaction like a true pro, smiling brightly and laughing sweetly to keep the audience at ease, while Mr Heritage quipped: ‘Who organised the notes?’

Fortunately, Meghan, now 44, was eventually able to spot the next line and swiftly moved to the side to allow Mr Heritage to continue his speech. 

Five years later, the truth behind the seeming confusion was finally revealed: David Wiseman, Director of the Invictus Games Foundation, shared during an interview that he had ‘messed up’ by giving the future Duchess the ‘wrong script’.

Speaking on HELLO! Magazine’s A Right Royal Podcast with hosts Andrea Caamano and Emmy Griffiths in 2023, the former army captain detailed his mishap before Meghan’s first public speech as the future Duchess of Sussex.

‘I was writing the scripts and there was a last-minute request for a change from her team. But she got the old version, and the new version was sent to her co-host,’ he said. 

‘I don’t know if you remember, they were both sort of not arguing, but saying “No, this is the version,” and so there was a fluff of the lines in front of everybody on her first opening speech as the [future] Duchess of Sussex.’

Joking that he ‘died a little bit inside,’ Mr Wiseman added: ‘I was just sitting there in the front row, sitting next to Harry just like, almost head in hands, going “Oh, oh, just, just skip it, just skip it, move on, move on, move on”.’

Mr Wiseman, who first crossed paths with Prince Harry and his brother William during their time at Sandhurst, added that in a state of panic he had sent Meghan an apologetic text message afterwards. 

However, the soon-to-be Duchess responded calmly and assured him via text message that he should not be concerned with the error. 

‘Meghan jumped on the text, “David, it’s M, honestly, really really, don’t worry about it”. She was just so kind,’ recalled Mr Wiseman.

The Duke of Sussex, now 41, established The Endeavour Fund in 2012 when he was patron of The Royal Foundation – alongside William and Kate.

Designed to help finance inspiring sporting and adventure projects aiding the recovery of veterans, the fund is particularly poignant for the prince, given he once served with the British Army’s Blues and Royals and the Army Air Corps. 

Five years later, David Wiseman (pictured next to Harry), Director of the Invictus Games Foundation, revealed during an interview that the awkward moment on stage was because he had ‘messed up’ by giving the future princess the ‘wrong script’

The annual awards ceremony came less than three months after Harry popped the question to Meghan in Kensington Palace Gardens in November 2017

Its first annual awards ceremony was held in early 2017, to celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who had partaken in sporting and adventure challenges over the course of the previous year.

Despite Harry’s connection to the event, it was considered somewhat unusual for Meghan to be presenting a prize at the annual awards show that evening, given that the American actress was not yet a working member of the royal family.

In contrast, Kate Middleton, who wed Prince William in April 2011, did not make her first public speech for another 11 months – speaking at the opening of a children’s hospice in March 2012. 

Yet Meghan’s acting credentials had certainly prepared her for a public appearance of such magnitude, clearly demonstrated by the future Duchess’s impeccable ability to handle a challenging dilemma.

The evening appearance also held an additional subtle poignance. By remarkable coincidence, Goldsmiths’ Hall was the same venue where Lady Diana Spencer also undertook her first evening engagement ahead of her royal wedding to the now King.

The following year, Meghan and Harry attended the Endeavour Fund Awards for the second year running.

Meghan, who at that stage was pregnant with her son Archie, donned an almost head-to-toe bespoke Givenchy outfit, paired with a crisp white shirt and a side-split skirt. 

As they moved around the pre-awards party at London’s Draper’s hall, Harry was heard to tell one invitee: ‘There’s a heavy baby in here.’ 

Meanwhile, Meghan told one guest: ‘He’s going to be the best dad.’ 

The following year, Meghan and Harry attended the Endeavour Fund Awards for the second year running. Meghan, who at that stage was pregnant with her second son Archie, exuded excellence in an almost head-to-toe bespoke Givenchy outfit

As they moved around the pre-awards party at London’s Draper’s hall, Harry was heard to tell one invitee: ‘There’s a heavy baby in here.’ Meanwhile, Meghan told one guest: ‘He’s going to be the best dad’

12 months later, Harry and Meghan arrived in the pouring rain at London’s Mansion House for the 2020 Endeavour Fund Awards. It marked the couple’s first joint public appearance since they announced their plans to step back from senior royal duties

Yet just 12 months later, things were quite different for the Duke and Duchess as they arrived in the pouring rain at London’s Mansion House for the 2020 Endeavour Fund Awards.

Sheltering under an umbrella as they arrived, Harry was dressed a dark blue suit, white shirt and blue tie, while Meghan donned a turquoise Victoria Beckham pencil midi dress. 

Crucially, the event marked Harry and Meghan’s first joint public appearance since they announced their plans to step back from senior royal duties, a decision later dubbed ‘Megxit’ by the press and public. 

A confident Meghan presented the Celebrating Excellence Award with zero mishaps and told the audience: ‘Its very nice to be back. Its the third year I’ve had the incredible fortune of joining my husband here. It’s just the most inspiring space.

‘When we were watching the [nomination] videos all the way in Canada we had the same moment of “How are you going to choose?” Well, we’ve done our best.’

In his speech, the Duke spoke emotionally about time in the military and shared: ‘Meghan and I are so happy to be back here with you, to celebrate each and every one of you for your achievements, your service and your resilience.

‘For some, the military community represents a brotherhood or sisterhood that no other organisation can provide, and for others it’s a way of life which you never want to leave. For a lot of us, it’s both.

‘Being able to serve Queen and Country is something we all are rightly proud of, and it never leaves us. Once served, always serving!’

He added: ‘A lot of you tonight have told me you have my back. Well I’m also here to tell you, I’ve always got yours.’

Just over three weeks later, the Duke and Duchess’s royal duties officially ceased and the couple returned back to Canada to begin their life outside of the royal fold.

Despite leaving the responsibilities of a working royal behind, Harry has remained committed to his work with the Endeavour Fund.

In June of that year, the prince announced that he had chosen to merge the Endeavour Fund and Invictus Games so that he could continue his involvement in the veteran-focused organisations.