SHYING AWAY
Shy Prince Harry is ‘intimidated’ by ‘power couple’ Doria Ragland and Meghan Markle, body language expert reveals
HOW the man you love gets on with your mother is a crucial question to any bride.
So when Meghan Markle arrived at the launch of the Grenfell charity cookbook today, flanked by husband Prince Harry and mum Doria Ragland, it was a big deal.
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The three were all smiles as the two people who love Meghan the most cheered her on in her first solo venture as a royal.
And a loving look in newlywed Harry's eyes melted everyone's hearts on social media.
But what did the interaction between Doria and Harry say about their own relationship?
Body language expert Judi James reveals the royal groom looks, “Shy and a little bit intimidated” around his new mother-in-law.
Judi said: “Doria and Meghan seem to form a really tight double act, with both women displaying signals of elegant confidence.
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“Meghan's attention is clearly primarily on her mother here which might be a huge shift for Harry who has so far been bathing in her flattering eye contact and touch rituals.
“Harry's body language suggests he's stepping back slightly to allow the real power double act to shine.
“He walks behind Doria and Meghan, using a small self-comfort barrier ritual with one hand touching his belt and when he stands with Doria he keeps a space between them rather than being more tactile or engaging with her.
“Harry's dad Prince Charles used far more reassurance and touch rituals with Doria on Harry and Meghan's wedding day but Harry seems more compliant and just a tiny bit intimidated like most new husbands are by their mothers-in-law.
"He looks happy to allow his very confident-looking wife and mother-in-law do their own thing while he watches in admiration.”
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Judi said: “The family unit seems to have brought out some body language signals of shyness from Harry here as he smiles and looks away with a slightly awkward body pose as Meghan chats to her mum."
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Judi said: "Meghan is at that period of time after her wedding where speculation will be rife about any pregnancy.
"Having her mother Doria suddenly at her side and then placing an arm across her stomach as she arrived from the car will have added fuel to that speculation (It was a gesture that Harry quickly mirrored), as will this cute response to a child that could easily suggest maternal instincts.
"Meghan's total attention is on this small child and her smile of delight is pretty obvious. Her hands are in a clapping gesture and Harry's watching behind with an expression of interest.
"We all know he can't wait to be a dad so will he have seen this as a positive sign?"
Tender moment Prince Harry flattens down Meghan Markle's hair as it blows in the wind
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Judi said: ";Although this moment was public rather than private Meghan has created an intimate feel by immersing herself in the group hug.
"The way she encircles the two women with her arms signals a desire to protect although her eye crinkling shows she's smiling as well.
"This is a unique royal hug gesture as it involves Meghan's head and face as well as her body, showing her keenness to involve herself totally in the cause."
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Judi says: "Meghan's confidence and passion are obvious as she gives her speech and she's clearly drawing on her skills as an actress to create some high-impact hand gestures to keep her audience involved and inspired.
"She looks totally in her element here, using raised brows for emphasis and holding her hands high in an emphatic gesture known as beach ball hands.
"This lively, non-verbal eloquence would have been an important technique for an audience that included children."
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Meghan's mum Doria, 62, flew into London two days ago amid rumours she would move to the UK.
There's no doubt that Meghan gets her fashion sense from her mum.
The pair both looked effortlessly stylish as they stepped out today, with Meghan wearing a blue £920 Smythe peacoat and £190 Misha Nonoo pleated skirt.
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