'Real reason' Prince Harry stayed away from Meghan Markle – 'We need to think of the children'
Following a triumphant visit to New York for Climate Week and a fleeting stop in the UK to attend the WellChild Awards, the Duke of Sussex headed to Lesotho to visit projects to do with his charity Sentebale. It was a whistle-stop solo tour of some of Harry's greatest passions and showed him at his "best", according to a leading royal expert.
Speaking exclusively to OK!, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond reflected on Harry's decision to carry out so many engagements alone in such a short space of time. "We can’t go on criticising Prince Harry for jetting across the Atlantic for this that and the other, and then raise questions about why he is consolidating his travel into one big trip," Jennie says. "It makes perfect environmental sense."
Reflecting on another reason for Harry's three-continent trip, Jennie added: "Maybe it’s better for his kids as well, for him to disappear for a fortnight and then be at home - rather than lots of comings and goings.
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"Harry is box office. He’s always had a way with people and crowds and it’s lovely to see him coming into his own with charities and causes that he became involved with many years ago. Married couples don’t have to do everything together.
"The children are young and it’s much better for them to have one parent at home, so it all makes perfect sense. It’s just Harry doing what Harry does best."
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Jennie's comments come after body language expert Judi James told the Mirror that the Duke looked like he leaned back into his royal role when he arrived back in the UK.
Judi explained: "With a large 'Oh' of happy recognition and anticipation, Harry looks relaxed and delighted on this UK visit, arriving using the kind of pace and intentional gestures to suggest keenness and authentic pleasure.
"He strides into the room, smoothing his tie once with his hand in contrast with the constant and very anxious-looking tie-smoothing and yanking he was seen performing in New York last week. The royal role seems to suit him here and he leans into some very animated handshakes, looking eager to engage his hosts in friendly conversation.
"Posing in a line he adopts a royal body language look with his hands clasped in front of his torso, and the way he sustains and even re-boots an eye and mouth smile while being photographed shows he is keen to show his happiness here to the world.
"His chats with the children shows Harry perhaps at his best, fully immersed in the conversations with the children, leaning forward onto his legs to get to their height and show very active listening skills that will make them feel totally relaxed and important."
As WellChild's patron for more than 15 years, Harry has regularly attended the awards ceremony staged by the organisation, the national charity for seriously ill children and their families. After meeting the award winners and presenting them with their prizes, Harry later gave a speech where he hailed those honoured as "little legends" and talked about the rollercoaster of parenting.
He expressed: "The WellChild Awards is an event that never fails to inspire me. The stories of young people who battle against the odds, living lives filled with medical procedures, hospital stays, and endless appointments, remind us all of the strength of the human spirit."
