Prince Harry’s ‘body barrier and ‘self-comfort’ gestures show he ‘needs back-up’ on ‘faux royal tour’ with Meghan Markle
THE Sussexes started their “faux royal tour” to Nigeria today, but Prince Harry displayed “self-comfort” gestures that show his need for support, claims a body language pro.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were all smiles as they waved to locals, chatted to leaders and snapped selfies with teens.
But Prince Harry could be seen playing with his wedding ring as a “body barrier”, claims Judi James.
The expert told Fabulous: “When they stand together in a very mirrored pose, their hand touches are slightly different in terms of what they are signalling.”
Although Meghan has a “light touch of the fingers”, which signals being “poised” and “confident”, Harry’s ring-playing is a “self-comfort” act.
Judi added: “Harry though is still holding onto his ring finger, which implies that even though he is with Meghan, he is really still appreciating the back-up and support, the thought of having his family with him, or even the family he left behind in terms of the Spencers in the UK.
“So although Meghan’s hand touch is that gesture of confidence, Harry holding the ring figure, this for him produces what is called a partial body barrier, but implies he is perhaps not feel quite so confident, but also it’s a self-comfort ritual.
“For Harry this is becoming quite a signature one.”
Harry and Meghan are in the West African country for a three-day quickfire trip – and were this morning welcomed by locals.
Judi observed how the couple are treating the visit as they would have for a royal tour, before they stepped back from duties with ‘Megxit’ in 2020.
She added: “Harry and Meghan’s body language rituals here do define this as a royal visit in everything but name.
“Her strong social smiles, very regal, his royal-style ‘hot climate’ wear, which is a Windsor male staple, but most of all the way Harry’s signals are more dominant than hers here, he seems to be taking the lead here which implies traditional royal protocol is back in place to a certain extent.
“He stands with his legs splayed wide in a gesture of confidence and authority, and when they chat to some women he stands to the front talking quite animatedly while Meghan hangs back slightly, holding his hand.”
The body language professional shared how Prince Harry appeared to display some traits that he did when he was first introducing Meghan to royal life.
Judi added: “They perform some strong mirroring here, clapping in unison, leaning together or apart at identical angles, or chatting with each other to suggest like-minded thinking, but it’s Harry doing the fully immersive behaviours here, adding some enthusiastic whoops or animated gesticulation as he speaks, implying he is talking Meghan through the event like he did when they first got married.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were greeted with a ‘Welcome’ banner fringed with flowers heralding their arrival which read: “We Are Honored To Have You!”
The couple were snapped walking hand and hand at the Lights Academy, just hours after arriving in Abuja.
Harry and Meghan were given strings of wooden beads and serenaded by dancers and singers.
“Bravo” Meghan clapped after one backflip carried out in front of them.
They jetted in together at 5am on a British Airways flight after a reunion at London Heathrow’s VIP Windsor Suite yesterday.
Brigadier General Tukur Gusau told MailOnline they will next travel to Kaduna to meet wounded soldiers at a military hospital.
Harry and Meghan, who is of Nigerian descent, will meet service members and their families, and participate in traditional cultural activities, according to local media.
This is Harry and Meghan’s first trip to Nigeria as a couple.
Meghan & Harry's links to Africa
Harry has had a long relationship with Africa, even taking his now-wife Meghan to Botswana for a camping trip as one of their early dates.
Meghan is said to want to “explore her ancestry and lineage” while there – after revealing she was “43% Nigerian”.
In 2019 the couple embarked on a tour of southern Africa.
The Duchess of Sussex flew with baby Archie to Johannesburg where they were later joined by Harry, after he visited Malawi.
During the time apart Meghan told journalist she was struggling to cope with them being apart.
The Duke has also established a charity to help African orphans, Sentebale, with Prince Seeiso from Lesotho.
They’re expected to visit three cities while there in their efforts to get the country to host the Invictus Games in 2029.
Harry has had a long relationship with Africa, even taking his now-wife Meghan to Botswana for a camping trip as one of their early dates.
Prince Harry did a whistlestop three-day trip to the UK this week, arriving on Tuesday and leaving on Thursday evening, but didn’t see his family during the visit.
A spokesperson for Harry explained: “It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.
Her strong social smiles, very regal, his royal-style ‘hot climate’ wear, which is a Windsor male staple, but most of all the way Harry’s signals are more dominant than hers here, he seems to be taking the lead here which implies traditional royal protocol is back in place to a certain extent
Judi James
“The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
Harry and Charles last reunited at Clarence House in February for their first face-to-face meeting in 16 months.
Charles, 75, resumed public duties last week for the first time since beginning cancer treatment.
He is now expected to attend the year’s first Buckingham Palace garden party.
In 2019, Meghan and Harry embarked on a tour of southern Africa.
The Duchess of Sussex flew with baby Archie to Johannesburg where they were later joined by Harry, after he visited Malawi.
During the time apart Meghan told a journalist she was struggling to cope with them being apart.
The Duke has also established a charity to help African orphans, Sentebale, with Prince Seeiso from Lesotho.