MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry appeared to “break ranks” with an impulsive gesture today, a body language expert has claimed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled to Westminster Hall separately this afternoon as the Queen’s coffin was moved from Buckingham Palace in an emotional procession.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle today held hands as they left Westminster Hall
Harry, who marched behind his grandmother’s coffin, walked alongside his brother and other senior royals as they reunited in grief.
Meghan, however, joined Camilla, The Queen Consort, Kate, The Princess of Wales, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, in cars behind.
Meghan and Harry were only later reunited for a short service led by the Archbishop of Canterbury in Westminster Hall, and walked out afterwards hand-in-hand.
According to body language expert Judi James, the gesture was “emotionally impulsive” and showed they were both grateful to be back together.
Judi told HOAR: “Meghan and Harry do seem to break rank to hold hands at the end of the service.
“It looks like an emotionally impulsive gesture, driven by a need to touch and unite again.
“But it’s hard to not factor in how Harry was not allowed to appear in uniform like the others – apart from Andrew – so possibly felt less restriction in terms of sustaining royal protocol.”
Describing the moment the Royal Family filed out after the service, Judi said everyone “apart from Harry and Meghan” walked with a “large gap between them”.
And she said the couple, who have lived apart from the Royal Family for the last two years, immediately appeared to “relax” when they came back together.
She explained: “As they walked in line behind William and Kate they closed up and both extended their hands to perform their signature hand clasp, with the clasp hanging between them.
“The way they performed it as soon as they were able, suggested the time spent apart and then the moments standing formally together but with a gap between them had been difficult and even painful.
“Both appeared to relax very slightly once they were back using this affectionate tie-sign again.”
Meghan and Harry stood behind the Prince and Princess of Wales during the Queen’s emotional service for the Queen’s lying in state today.
It was the first time the ‘Fab Four’ have been seen since they surprised crowds outside Windsor Castle to greet mourners on Saturday.
The Queen’s coffin entered Westminster Hall as the choir of Westminster Abbey and the choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, sang Psalm 139.
The Archbishop of Canterbury then read the opening prayer, which the King appeared to follow through an order of service.
Kate, William, Harry and Meghan all looked solemn throughout the sorrowful service.
The two wives both donned black veils for the sombre last journey of their grandmother-in-law.
Cries of “God save the King” could be heard as the King and the Queen Consort left the building.
Royal couples left the building side by side, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex holding hands.
The Queen will lie in state from 5pm until her state funeral on Monday.
Princess Kate and Meghan Markle arrived at Westminister Hall in separate cars
Camilla, Kate, Sophie and Meghan stood united in their grief during the service
The Duchess of Sussex looked solemn during the service
The Princess of Wales reacts as the coffin arrives at Westminster Hall
The Duchess curtseys as she arrives for the service
Harry and Meghan appeared to hold hands as they left the service
Meghan appeared emotional as she and Harry left the service
