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‘Anxious’ Harry is ‘like a dog with a tail between his legs’ at thanksgiving service, says body language expert
ALL eyes were on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry as they attended the thanksgiving service at St Paul’s today in honour of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined Kate Middleton and Prince William in their first public appearance together since Megxit.
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And according to our body language expert Judi James, the experience proved to be a nerve-wracking one for Harry in particular.
Judi says that the dad-of-two began showing signs of anxiety from the moment he arrived at the cathedral.
Speaking to Fabulous, she explains: “Meghan’s switch-on smile was radiant as they arrived at St Paul’s but Harry’s body language looked subdued and wary, like a dog with its tail between his legs.
“He performed multiple clothing touches to suggest anxiety as he walked round from the car and kept one hand held to his waist as he took his wife’s hand in the other.”
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However, it seems that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge experienced no such nerves as they made their way into the service.
Judi continues: “In contrast with the Sussex’s low-key arrival, William and Kate were in full regal mode, looking relaxed, upbeat and chatty, arriving with Kate taking the lead and appearing slightly more dominant in the kind of quiet, firm leadership role we have seen her take during other difficult meetings with Harry and Meghan.
“It was Kate instigating the wave to the crowd and it was Kate leading her husband as they walked up the steps.”
The two couples took their seats on opposite sides of the cathedral during the service, and initially Harry appeared to have relaxed - but this demeanour didn’t last long.
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Judi adds: “Harry’s body language fluctuated between subdued and anxious to small break-outs of over-congruent fun that were in such contrast to his ongoing anxiety signals that they suggested an inner build-up of tension.
“Suppressing his playful side did seem to take its toll and as he leant in to joke or pull a face it was Meghan putting a hand out to touch his waist as though hinting he might need to be a little more subdued.
“During the service his facial expression became the rather haunted-eyed, reflective look that we saw from him before he quit the UK, suggesting ongoing anxiety and even sadness at being consigned to the back row, with no apparent bonding rituals with his brother or his father.”
Judi says that while William appeared more relaxed during the ceremony, when it came to facing his brother he appeared standoffish.
“When he finally walked past Harry in the exit procession his head turned away to the other side and he sucked in his lips as his chin pulled up,” she says.
“He also raised his order of service quite high in a body barrier gesture.”
The "nervous" Sussexes joined William, Kate and other royals at St Paul's Cathedral for their first official event since Megxit on day two of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The monarch herself is not in attendance after experiencing "discomfort" during yesterday's festivities.
But most other members of the Firm - minus Andrew who has Covid - have gathered in London for the occasion.
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The Sussexes opted not to bring their children Archie, three, and Lilibet, who turns one tomorrow, whom Her Majesty is believed to have met for the first time yesterday.
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Their attendance at other events, including tomorrow's Party at the Palace or the Pageant on Sunday, is also uncertain.
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