ALL eyes were on Prince Harry earlier this week as he delivered a speech at the UN to mark Nelson Mandela Day.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived hand-in-hand at the New York headquarters, where Harry spoke passionately about the late activist’s legacy.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at the UN hand-in-hand
Body language expert Judi James says Prince Harry exhibited signs of ‘high level nervousness and tension’
But before taking to the stage, the dad-of-two – who stepped down as a senior working royal in January 2020 – looked visibly nervous as he sat in the audience with his wife United Nations members.
After he momentarily let go of Meghan’s hand, the former Suits actress was filmed placing his arm in her lap in a show of support.
Speaking exclusively to Fabulous, body language expert Judi James said Prince Harry was exhibiting signs of “high level nervousness and tension”.
She explained: “A much calmer and more poised Meghan went into firm parental mode, using a correctional gesture to ensure reassurance after Harry appeared to dismiss or shrug off her hand clasp.”
Pointing out the four signs of Harry’s “inner anxiety”, Judi highlighted how the Duke kept going back to his wedding ring.
The expert said: “His constant fiddling with his wedding ring, which is a self-comfort ritual like a child might suck its thumb or carry a comfort-blanket.
“Harry used a whole raft of these self-comfort rituals arriving at the venue and walking on stage, including a truncated buttoning of his jacket, a smoothing of his tie and the placing of a hand across his tummy.
“He also touches his watch or wristband, which is direct mimicry of his father’s signature self-comfort gesture.
Secondly, the expert said the Duke had “follow, expressionless eyes” during the public appearance.
She added: “This is a look Harry had on the build-up to leaving the UK.
“It is not a look his fans will want to see now he is happily settled in the US but it could be down to priming himself for his speech.”
What’s more, the expert said the Duke’s “unsmiling expression” was another key indicator.
Judi said: “Harry only smiles here as a social commitment when someone talks to him or when he is congratulated after his speech.”
Fourthly, the body language expert pointed out a very telling “micro-gesture”.
She added: “At one point Harry shimmies slightly in his seat which looks like a gesture to attempt to re-boot his inner confidence.”
However, the expert says Meghan is in tune with her husband’s body language and tries to calm to his nerves.
Judi continued: “Meghan is the professional when it comes to performing and she is never seen looking nervous or anything other than confident before a speech.
“This could be why she goes into nurturing mode, correcting his refusal of the hand clasp by pulling the hand into her lap and cradling his arm with her left hand. She also glances down at the clasp as though checking it out.
“Her nurturing mode is also apparent when she hears a woman behind them coughing and immediately get her a bottle of water from her bag.
“Meghan may have decided to be insistent about the double hand clasp because she could ‘feel’ and see Harry’s nerves building up, like a parent will often read a child and move in to soothe or calm in a pre-emptive gesture.
“Her nurturing mode is also apparent when she hears a woman behind them coughing and immediately get her a bottle of water from her bag.
“Was Harry’s mood anything other than nervous? Is he the surrendered male some people claim?
“His response to the corrective clasp looks positive as his fingers curl around hers, plus once he has finished his speech he sits back beside her and seems to instigate the same clasp.
“Meghan clearly uses it as a useful tie-sign as well as an expression of affection as a PDA. She was also rubbing Harry’s arm with her hand and one thumb, which is a version of the double-handed clasp and arm-rubs she used at their engagement photoshoot.
“It does signal moments of taking control and the real question might be why Harry pulled his hand away in front of the cameras when the couple are always known for their eternal touch and hand clasp rituals.”
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