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Reading into Meghan and Harry's body language on their first day back to royal duties

From Cosmopolitan

Yesterday, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appeared publicly for the first time since early November. The couple were back at work, visiting the Canadian High Commissioner for their first royal duty of 2020, after having spent six weeks in Canada on an extended family break over Thanksgiving and Christmas.

On the face of it, the Duke and Duchess looked very happy and relaxed at yesterday's event, with their famous PDA back in full force. But is that the full story? Body language expert and author Judi James suggests there might be underlying signals from the couple's behaviour about how they're really feeling about their return to the spotlight.

Photo credit: WPA Pool - Getty Images
Photo credit: WPA Pool - Getty Images

Given the context with which Meghan and Harry were returning to work - following a stressful period thanks to a difficult relationship with the press - Judi notes that "the pressure was always going to be just that bit more acute" than the ordinary person's first day back after Christmas might be.

Despite that, "Meghan managed to recreate her signature smile for the fans and her hosts," Judi analysed. Beneath the smile, however, were some telling traits. According to the body language expert, the Duchess' "slightly self-diminishing trait of scrunching her shoulders up" as well as her familiar hair-touching - which Judi felt had transformed from being "normally flirty-looking" to being "more of a partial cut-off gesture" - both suggested the mum-of-one was taking "a more tentative approach to the event".

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

Harry, meanwhile, appears to have "taken on a more protective and watchful-looking role," suggests Judi, "with some of his affectionate touch rituals becoming steering gestures geared to move his wife into the right place and maybe speed things up a little."

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

Prince Harry was photographed touching the front of his suit jacket with one hand on yesterday's official visit - something he's frequently known to do. And the body language expert believes it may be quite telling. "His jacket-clutching gesture suggested some anxiety from the prince, and when his wife touched his back to gesture him along in front he touched her arm to allow her to walk ahead," noted Judi.

It would make sense for Prince Harry to feel hesitant about returning to his duties - and to the public eye - considering the harsh criticism the couple suffered last year. After a month-and-a-half living a quiet, private life, it must be hard to return to the world's gaze, where you automatically become vulnerable to judgment.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

Such possible tension from Prince Harry was evident, claims the body language expert, in his facial gestures, too. "Harry’s sucked-in lips between his smiles hinted he might have been feeling the strain during this first public exposure after a long break," adds Judi.

As for the dynamic between the pair? From where Judi's sitting, it looks as just as solid as it always has. "The couple’s hand-holding and affectionate touch rituals were as strong as ever, and the close-quarters face-gazing from Meghan to her husband as he chatted to their hosts was very much the kind of PDA she has been performing since they first fell in love."

All in all, it seems the long break has probably done Harry and Meghan good. While yesterday must have been begrudging, as they adjust back into the swing of royal life, hopefully the world will be a little kinder to them.

Follow Cat on Instagram.

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