Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their first joint appearance after their UK return. On October 15, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Nottingham. Now, a body language expert has made observations about the way they clung to each other.
Experts decode Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s body language in recent outing
Body language expert Judi James decoded Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s body language at their Nottingham outing and shared her observations with the Daily Mail. As Markle accepted bouquets from well-wishers, her husband placed a protective arm around her during pictures. James said the Duke’s clutch of his wife’s shoulder signaled “inner tension and caution.”
She continued, “At one point he placed an arm around her shoulders in a ‘protective wing’ gesture. The non-verbal ‘tell’ here of inner tension and caution came from his fingers, which dug tightly into Meghan’s shoulder at neck level, suggesting he felt keen to clutch her and keep her even closer.”
Markle reciprocated Harry’s gesture by putting her arm around his waist. James commented that the “double cling” appeared as if the couple were “clinging together as survivors.” She said the Sussexes used body language to present a message of “joyful return.” However, the expert felt there was an underlying “tension from Harry and “a desire to protect his wife.”
James noted Harry and Markle’s “wide-open-mouthed smiles of delight.” She compared their walkabout to performing for an “ecstatic audience at the O2 arena.” James further noted that the couple exchanged expressions of relief and happiness. During her interactions with the crowd, Meghan smiled brightly at Harry while holding several bouquets. Her facial movements, particularly around her nostrils and upper lip, according to the expert, suggested a reassuring expression that conveyed a sense of “I told you everything would be fine.”
She said that “Harry’s flattened palm ‘Hail’ gesture to the crowd appeared as “acknowledgement of their acceptance and ongoing love.” However, behind the “bursting back onto the royal scene,” there were hints of unease.
