Body language expert weighs in on Harry and Meghan: “This is something we haven’t seen her do before”
A behavioural expert has studied Prince Harry and Meghan’s body language on their recent trip to Belfast and has revealed one significant change.
Dr Judi James said the trip for the couple revealed a change in power dynamic with the usually confident Meghan looking for more direction from her fiancé.
In earlier visits, Dr James said that Meghan appeared more comfortable with the cameras but on their recent trip, Prince Harry was initiating the conversations with public officials as Meghan took a back seat, supporting him with a loving gaze.
Dr James said that Meghan hasn’t been seen giving this gaze to Prince Harry before.
“This is something we haven’t seen her do before. Her body language is evolving as the wedding gets nearer,” she said.
“This technique is called intense eye gazing, it would normally be used as an active listening signal.
Prince Harry and Ms. Markle then visit one of Belfast's oldest buildings, The Crown Liquor Saloon and learn about its history from @NationalTrust staff. pic.twitter.com/iT94q2xTTa
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 23, 2018
“It is used to flatter the person speaking. You see a lot of it in America but it’s not a particularly strong trait in the UK. This kind of eye contact is at risk of putting someone off their stride while they are speaking, she is also doing it at very close quarters.
“In the UK, this amount of eye contact and head closeness would normally only be used in the leadup to a kiss so it would be very difficult for Harry to continue to speaking.
“It would be massively distracting, through in a good way as she is clearly flirting with him. He is clearly enjoying it. She looks stunning, he is just trying to go about his normal role and duties and it is almost making him laugh.
“To be honest it almost looks as though he can’t quite believe his luck and managed to pull her in the first place and is now getting this level of intense eye contact and attention from her.”
Prince Harry and Ms. Markle walked through @TitanicBelfast’s interactive galleries which tell Titanic’s story - from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch to her maiden voyage. pic.twitter.com/RJ0FZEG5GR
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 23, 2018
Dr James explained that Meghan’s Hollywood background has helped prepare her for all the public duties she will carry out.
“When you look at him compared to her, he is just wearing a jacket and a jumper – it is not the most glamorous look – but here there is this leading Hollywood actress who is stunning and gazing up at him, you can see his cheeks rounding slightly and he’s probably blushing.
“The big thing about Meghan is she has always been quite dominant in the duo, she has always been more at home in front of the cameras and in interview situations than Harry.
“But now we are seeing quite submissive body language. To the waiting audience, this makes him look very heroic, like a besotted fan.
“It may be that as the wedding is getting closer, she is bigging him up and making him look like the star.”
When asked about the duo’s power dynamic, Dr James said that Meghan easily has Harry “wrapped around her finger”.
Dr James also highlighted how Meghan has started using self-diminishing body language, such as touching her hair or shielding her face, when doing meet and greets.
“I’m not saying she is being negatively manipulative, but by showing these high approval signals she is showing she adores Harry as much as everyone in the UK does,” she said.