PROTECTIVE PRINCE
Anxious Prince Harry ‘acts like Meghan Markle’s bodyguard’ and ‘takes control’ after their six-week holiday
THE SUSSEXES are back in action after their six-week break from royal duties and have completed their first public engagement of 2020.
Body language expert Judi James said that Prince Harry appeared “anxious” and acted like Meghan’s “bodyguard” during the visit to Canada House in London.
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The appearance follows the couple turning down the offer to spend Christmas with the Queen and other senior royals in Sandringham to take a break in Canada.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were today pictured meeting Janice Charette, who is the High Commissioner in Canada to the UK.
Buckingham Palace said the Sussexes hope to “thank them for the warm Canadian hospitality and support they received during their recent stay in Canada.”
Judi told Fabulous Digital: “Their smiles here suggest it’s business as usual, although it is primarily Meghan sporting the wide social smiles while Harry can be seen sucking his lips inward in what looks more like a gesture of resolve and determination.
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“This suggests there might be some residual feelings of pressure or anxiety as they appear in public again.”
Prince Harry, 35, could been seen placing a protective hand on Meghan’s back during the engagement, and Judi said this behaviour is rather defensive.
She said: “Harry is acting more like a bodyguard here rather instead of 'the boyfriend' we've seen in the past.
“Even in the early days of their engagement and marriage he often resorted to touches that were based on affection and attraction and this trait of firm steering could suggest he’s keen to take a little more protective control during their public appearances.
“Although Meghan walked ahead to greet their hosts she received a small touch on the back from Harry but then a much bigger steering touch from him when he wanted to move her on so that he could shake hands too.”
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While Prince Harry looked smart in a navy suit, Meghan looked elegant in a £345 Reiss tan coat, a £89.95 brown satin Massimo Dutti skirt, Jimmy Choo heels and a brown turtle-neck top.
Judi said that Meghan’s frequent touches of her flowing hair could hint the mum-of-one was slightly nervous about her return to duties.
She said: “Meghan is often seen using a hair-touch gesture but this doesn’t look like a preening or a flirt ritual.
“The way she keeps her hand to her hair at chin level here suggests it could be a partial cut-off gesture, hinting at some lack of confidence about returning to the job after their break.
“Harry, meanwhile, places one hand to close his jacket at stomach level in what looks like a partial barrier gesture.”
The body language expert added that Meghan’s low waves to the crowd “look self-effacing and even slightly shy or tentative.”
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Prince Harry and Meghan spent Thanksgiving in Meghan's native US, where they enjoyed family time with "close family."
The pair are said to be "exhausted" by 2019 after they were dogged with criticism over their use of private jets and "excessive" requests for privacy.
Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, also joined the couple in Canada, according to reports.
The couple were last seen in public together at the Remembrance Day services, with Harry doing a solo appearance at the Royal Albert Hall for the OnSide Awards.
The royals were spotted by a couple who were struggling to take a photograph of themselves with a selfie stick - with Meghan and Harry offering to take the shot.
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The visit today to Canada House involved seeing a special exhibition by Indigenous Canadian artist, Skawennati.
It is reported the couple came directly to Canada House from a private visit to The Hub, the Grenfell community kitchen project that Meghan collaborated with on the Together cookbook.
It’s not the first time Meghan and Prince Harry have visited Canada House, and their last appearance was on Commonwealth Day in March 2019.
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