Prince William joins Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at special Anzac Day service
IT is an unusual move to make in public, and shows how much things have changed as Prince William and Catherine are letting their royal guard down around Meghan Markle.
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NEW DAD Prince William joined Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at a special Anzac Day midday memorial service in London.
Stepping out for the time since he and wife Catherine introduced their new baby boy to the world on Monday, William appeared relaxed wearing a black suit and his war medals.
Arriving with Harry and Ms Markle at the Church, William put a friendly arm on Meghan’s shoulder to greet her.
But Ms Markle was the one to put a more friendly arm around his back as they met. She airkissed as he appeared to give her a kiss on the cheek.
This is an unusual move for the royals, and shows just how much things have changed since Prince William and Harry, Catherine and now Ms Markle have softened royal protocol.
Body language expert Dr Louise Mahler told News Corp Australia that the intimate encounter revealed a few things.
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Firstly, non-royal family members are not allowed to touch a member of the royal family — but with just less than a month away from her wedding to Harry, Ms Markle has definitely now got “permission to do that”.
“He had his hand on her shoulder, so he’s more reticient,” Dr Mahler said.
‘But she is showing him warmth, and she appears to be very confident, loving as he shows her the royal protocol.
“It’s a far cry from when the Queen only shook hands with Prince Charles after they did not see each other for months, it’s a huge change.”
Dr Mahler also said that the interactions between William and Ms Markle had a “family feel”.
“He was more forward with kissing her, as she did an airkiss back,” she said.
“Her eyes showed she had admiration for him as she looked at him from an angle on the other side of him too.”
William’s appearance at the service was a surprise as it had previously been announced that it would be just Harry and Ms Markle attending on behalf of the Queen.
While Catherine stayed at home with the new baby the fact William attended the service just two days after his son’s birth shows the significance Australia and New Zealand have for the royals.
Meghan had changed from the outfit she was seen wearing earlier in the day and was dressed in a simple, long-sleeved black dress with a black beret. Like William and Harry she was wearing a red poppy.
Earlier in the morning, Harry and Ms Markle attended a Anzac Day dawn service at Hyde Park in London where they sang the Australian anthem and were treated to a traditional New Zealand “Haka” dance.
Harry also laid a wreath on behalf of the royal family at the Australian War Memorial with a special handwritten note which read: “In loving memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those whose lives were changed forever.”
Both Harry and William have served in the British Armed Forces and have close ties with the military community.
Harry and Ms Markle will visit Sydney in October when the city hosts the Invictus Games- a competitive multi-sports event started by Harry for wounded soldiers and veterans.
Britain is still anxiously waiting to find out the name of William and Catherine’s new baby boy with Arthur currently the most popular guess across all major bookmakers.
The prince is fifth in line to the throne and was born at 11:01am UK local time on Monday at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London.
Believed to be the biggest royal baby in more than 100 years he weighed 3.8kg.
Originally published as Prince William joins Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at special Anzac Day service
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