Over the years, many affectionate moments between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been captured on camera. Recently, a body language expert analyzed the significance of their public displays of affection.
The connection between Meghan Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, has been evident during their public appearances. Alongside social media users sharing their surprising thoughts on these instances, a body language expert has explored the deeper implications of their public displays of affection.
From the outset, the royal couple encountered skepticism about their relationship. In his memoir, “Spare,” Prince Harry described the moment he introduced Markle to his family in 2016.
He noted that his father, King Charles III, initially liked her, but his brother, Prince William, was more reserved and reportedly referred to Markle as “an American actress.”
Although the Duke of Sussex did not specify any individuals, he implied that other members of the royal family were also uneasy about the situation.
In a January 2023 interview, Prince Harry shared his thoughts on his wife’s initial negative experiences with his family, stating, “Right from the beginning, before they even had a chance to get to know her. And the U.K. press jumped on that. And here we are.”
When asked if this was due to mistrust, the royal elaborated, “The fact that she was American, an actress, divorced, Black, biracial with a Black mother. Those were just four of the typical stereotypes that is– becomes a feeding frenzy for the British press.”
Despite the poor reception at first, Prince Harry remained determined to pursue his relationship with Markle. He proposed in 2017, and they tied the knot in May 2018. The following year, in May 2019, they welcomed their first child, son Prince Archie.
In January 2020, a year later, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made headlines by announcing their plans to step back from their roles as “senior” members of the royal family and aim for financial independence.
“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” the statement read.
They also revealed their intention to divide their time between the UK and North America. Importantly, it was reported that neither Queen Elizabeth II nor Prince William had been informed before the announcement, leading to disappointment within Buckingham Palace. Senior royals were said to feel “hurt” by the couple’s decision.
Later, they welcomed their second child, daughter Princess Lilibet, in June 2021. Since their departure, the relationship between Prince Harry and Markle has come under greater scrutiny from both the media and the public. The Duchess, in particular, has noticeably distanced herself from public life in England.
Additionally, Prince Harry has been making more solo appearances, including trips to New York and the UK in September 2024, where he attended a charity event without Markle. Biographer Phil Dampier observed that the prince, now 40, seems to be searching for a new purpose and is eager to engage in causes that provide more meaning in his life.
“Harry sometimes feels like a spare part and he often looks unhappy when he’s out with Meghan at events in California,” the author stated. While Markle prefers to remain in California, her husband appears to be pursuing more independent endeavors.
Although Prince Harry’s individual outings have attracted attention and ignited discussions, his public interactions with Markle have not gone unnoticed. Their relationship dynamic continues to be a topic of interest.
The Duchess frequently expresses affection for the Duke in public settings, often holding his hand or gently placing a hand on his back. Body language expert Judi James notes that this regular physical contact has a deeper meaning for the couple.
Markle employs various types of touch to convey her connection with Prince Harry, often indicating their bond. James explained that the royal’s “double clutch,” where she grips her partner with both hands, may represent a “gesture of possession.”
It’s worth mentioning that Markle’s habit of holding her husband’s arm and hand is not new; she first demonstrated this gesture during their engagement announcement in 2017.
According to James, this “clingy clutch” originally indicated a wish to keep Prince Harry close, but lately, it has evolved into a “gesture of possession,” suggesting, “He’s mine.”
The gesture highlights that the Duke of Sussex is her main focus while also allowing for a subtle, sensual interaction if her fingers brush against his bare arm. This possessive display was similarly observed at the ESPY Awards in July 2024 when the couple was photographed with Serena Williams.
Another common gesture involves her hand resting on his knee, which James referred to as a “sensual” expression of physical attraction and a “signal of ownership.”
Markle’s frequent physical contact, which goes beyond simply wanting to be close, might also indicate “a more maternal form of ownership,” according to James. The Duchess is often seen placing her hand on Prince Harry’s thigh or knee, as she did at the ESPY Awards.
At the event, the couple shared warm smiles, with Markle wearing a white gown and placing her hand on her husband’s knee, which could be seen as an “intimate or exclusive” gesture. James remarked that touching his knee or thigh “stamps” the prince with a sense of ownership, and this action is certainly sensual.
Markle often chooses to hold Prince Harry’s arm instead of his hand. James pointed out that this bicep grip signifies her “surrendered” admiration for his strength and masculinity. By letting him take the lead, the subtle touch keeps her engaged as part of their “double act,” preserving their close bond.
Additionally, the actress frequently uses both hands to hold one of Prince Harry’s hands in what James described as a “double clasp” gesture. She noted that this is the “strongest form of hand linking,” which enhances their portrayal as a “romantic couple.”
Referred to as the “hand sandwich,” this gesture was prominently displayed during their engagement photoshoot, where Markle looked up at Prince Harry while they shared smiles.
One of Markle’s more nurturing gestures is her hand on Prince Harry’s back. James suggested that this “steering” movement indicates the Duchess assuming the role of host and potentially leader once they arrived in the US, using it to guide the Duke as she introduced him to others.
Markle’s tactile gestures are often reciprocated by Prince Harry, establishing a balance in their public displays of affection. While she frequently uses touch to lead or comfort him, Prince Harry typically places his hand firmly on hers, with his arm positioned in front.
James observed that this hand placement is a “dominant gesture,” signaling the royal’s intention to take the lead and demonstrate his protective nature toward his wife.
Online users quickly shared their opinions about the relationship between the Duke and Duchess. One person remarked, “It is obvious she is controlling him.” Another user added, “She gives orders to him, tells him when to stop talking to people.”
Others highlighted the couple’s behavior in public. One observer noted, “She clutches him whenever she wants to be part of the attention focused his way, [sic] when she is insecure.” This individual also mentioned that “She is now the happier-looking one while he looks somber a lot of the time.”
A third person expressed a similar viewpoint, stating, “She’s controlling him with these ‘subtle’ gestures! The hand on the knee or holding his hand, a quick tightening of the grip or a tug showing who is in control!”
The public’s intrigue with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s body language continues to spark conversations, as many speculate about the underlying significance of their gestures. Whether perceived as loving or domineering, their interactions remain a consistently captivating subject.