Meghan Markle and Prince Harry looked “awkward” and “anxious” on their first joint public outing since the birth of daughter Lilibet, according to a body language expert.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in New York at the city’s One Observatory for their meeting with Bill De Blasio as they embarked on their US “adventure.”
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Judi James told Fabulous: “The body language on this first public outing together since the birth of their daughter suggests Meghan and Harry, but Harry in particular, are feeling awkward and possibly shy after some time out of the spotlight as a power couple.
“Their movements are less synchronised than expected and their shared cues or tie-signs include what look like some miss-hits.
“Their smiles look especially awkward, although they might have been trying to keep the tone right for the occasion.”
The body language expert pointed out that their handclasp showed signs of “anxiety.”
She explained: “Their hands are linked together as usual but the clasp itself is unusual: in an initial photo it is Harry’s hand on top but their fingers are held straight down together, with what looks like just Meghan’s index finger and thumb curled around Harry’s thumb.
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“There are no cuddling rituals from them here and little if any eye contact during this photo-call. Harry sucks his lips in, suggesting he is bracing himself, before performing a smile that shows no teeth and which just stretches his pressed-together lips. Meghan’s smile does show upper teeth but it looks unusually rigid here.”
Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, were driven to the event in a black SUV and travelled up to One World Trade Center’s viewing deck to meet the NYC Mayor.
And as she greeted the crowd of photographers, Meghan said: “It’s wonderful to be back thank you” when asked if she was happy to be in New York.
Meghan has spoken out about her love of New York before joining the Royal Family.
As she entered the building, Meghan, dressed in all-black and her hair up in a ponytail, smiled and waved to Harry.
Their dark, sombre outfits are likely to be suitable for their planned visit to the 9/11 Memorial.
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The New York event is the first time Meghan has appeared at a public event since giving birth to Lilibet in June as they embark on their “adventure,” Omid Scobie said.
He wrote this morning: “Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan will begin their New York adventure tomorrow morning, September 23, when they join NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and Kathy Hochul for an 8am visit to the One World NYC Observatory.”
The couple are next expected to broadcast live from Central Park for a Global Citizen Live event to promote the Covid vaccine on Saturday.
After quitting the Royal Family last January, the Sussexes have taken over the world, signing multi-million-pound deals with Spotify and Netflix.
And just last week the couple were featured on the front of Time Magazine as they were named as among the 100 most influential people.
Previously, we shared how Meghan Markle had the most expensive royal birth costing £10k – but can you guess whose was the cheapest?