What you missed in Meghan and Harry’s royal reunion: what the body language experts saw
There was more to Meghan and Prince Harry’s walk with Prince William and Kate. This is what experts observed.
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It was the reunion that shocked the world.
In the space of 40 minutes, warring brothers Prince William and Prince Harry set their differences aside to put on a united front.
The sight of William, Catherine, Harry and Meghan — once known as the Fab Four — greeting the public as they made their way down the Long Walk at Windsor sent royal fans into a frenzy.
Meanwhile at Balmoral Castle, royal outsider Prince Andrew was front and centre again as the royals inspected tributes to the Queen.
Australian body language expert and connection specialist, Katia Loisel, gave her insight into what the body language of the Fab Four and Prince Andrew has revealed.
CATHERINE, WILLIAM, HARRY AND MEGHAN – THE FORMER FAB FOUR
Ms Loisel says this photo is interesting from a non-verbal perspective, with Prince Harry and William walking together, in unison and often in sync.
“When we feel uncomfortable in someone’s presence, we tend to distance ourselves, subconsciously orientating our bodies away from them,” she said.
“However, we don’t see this between the royals. Whilst they are times distant in proximity, there are several moments of non-verbal synchrony between the pair, suggesting a united front and a family perhaps brought together by shared grief.
“Prince Harry and Prince William walk in sync, adopting partial arm barriers in unison. Their right hands adjusting their jackets and ties in a subconscious attempt to provide reassurance.” Whilst Prince William and Princess Kate, who are traditionally more reserved, were noticeably less tactile and kept their distance whilst they walked, Prince Harry and Meghan walked side-by-side, their hands clasped, palms touching in an intimate gesture that can also provide comfort a sense of closeness in times of pain and suffering, Ms Loisel revealed.
“Rather than being an indication of disconnection, Prince William and Princess Kate’s purposeful walk, arms loosely by their sides reflects a sense of confidence and the seriousness of the occasion and indicates a couple who is confident in their roles and may not feel the need to constantly check in,” she said.
“However, whilst the couple retain a more formal appearance reflecting their position as royals, they do reconnect, often mirroring one another in what is known as postural echoing.”
In the second photograph of the foursome, she notes that Prince Harry has his head lowered, holding on to the lapel of his jacket, holding Meghan’s hand, his arm held outwards.
“Taken in context, this photo was taken after Meghan had pulled herself close to Prince Harry, falling slightly behind him her body sitting just behind his,” Ms Loisel said.
“This non-verbal distancing reveals a need for a little more space whilst remaining connected. Meghan’s ducked head and turtling of the neck, and her need for closeness, her body pulling in close and falling behind Harry just before and after this photo was taken, indicate emotional discomfort and that she may have been feeling vulnerable.”
According to body language expert Judi James, the Fab Four’s appearance showed they were trying to put their differences aside.
“This is a phenomenal display of unity between William and Harry,” Ms James told The Sun. “As an intentional gesture, it implies unity and some bonding prompted by mutual grief.
“Arriving and leaving together signals proximity and shared conversations and although there are no overkill displays of hugging or touch, these do look like baby steps that build on Charles’s declaration of love for his youngest son and his wife.
“It’s comforting to see Meghan’s supportive touches on the back and partial hugs for a clearly upset Harry and the conversations between the two brothers.
“The most telling body language though is the intense mirroring rituals between William and Harry.
“Their poses and gestures are often identical, hinting and strong subliminal bonds that exist despite all the rifts.”
MEGHAN, DUCHESS OF SUSSEX
This photo is difficult to analyse without context as it appears to have been taken mid-movement, said Ms Loisel.
“However, the beginning of her smile appears asymmetrical, the zygomatic major lifting the lip and cheek on the left more pronounced than on her right, suggesting that she may be about to feign a social smile, which given the circumstances is perfectly understandable,” she said.
MEGHAN AND HARRY
Harry’s lowered eyelids, slightly downturned mouth and compressed lips reveal sadness, says Ms Loisel.
“His left arm is pushed out, and wrist tilted on an awkward angle in order to maintain connection whilst giving himself a little space in a form of non-verbal distancing,” she said.
The second photograph reveals their grief.
“There is nothing incongruent about Prince Harry and Meghan’s facial expressions here,” Ms Loisel said.
“They are a couple who have experienced loss and their furrowed brows and lowered eyelids and slightly compressed lips reflect this.”
PRINCES ANDREW AND EDWARD AND EXTENDED ROYAL FAMILY
“This is a difficult time for the family, with the enormity of the loss taking its toll on even the most stoic of the royals,” said Ms Loisel.
“Whilst Prince Andrew’s sadness is obvious, his raised inner brows (a reliable indicator of sadness), and lips compressed, the face is a dual system which can produce real and false expressions at the same time, often masking intense emotions with a smile, one of the easiest facial expressions to make.
“These are social smiles and lack the activation around the eyes caused by activation of the orbicularis muscle seen in a genuine smile.”
PRINCE ANDREW AND PRINCE EDWARD
“Even in times of great sadness we can experience mixed emotions, experiencing joy in times of great grief as is evident here,” said Ms Loisel.
“Prince Andrew his smile which activated the orbicularis muscle, crinkling the skin around the corner of the eyes indicating that he was genuinely touched by the outpouring of love by the crowds.”
PRINCE ANDREW AND HIS DAUGHTERS, BEATRICE AND EUGENIE
“This is such a solemn yet beautiful moment of shared grief between Prince Eugenie and Prince Andrew, their heads lowered, bodies leaning in, orientated towards one another in a show of mutual support and reassurance,” said Ms Loisel.
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