Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle conduct a “parent and child-like” ritual when out in public, claims a body language expert.
Commenting on the royal duo’s recent three-day visit to Nigeria, the Duke of Sussex was “reluctant” to let go of his wife’s hand during the third day of their tour.
The Duke, 39, and Duchess, 42, walked hand-in-hand as they arrived at the State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s house where they were guests of honour on May 12.
Body language expert, Judi James, told the Daily Mail the royal couple appear uneasy when apart: “There’s something almost parent-childlike about this body language as Harry and Meghan perform small dance-like rituals to avoid letting go of each other’s hands, even for a second.”
She added: “They seem to want to cling together for affection and to have a tactile link to create tie-signs i.e. small steering touches or moments of reassurance while they are out appearing in public.”
Meghan kept her word to ditch her monochrome styling for bright colours and honour her Nigerian roots as she donned a stunning yellow canary dress in Lagos – she also wore the dress in 2021 when she announced her pregnancy with Princess Lilibet.
Commenting further on their body language, Judi explained: “Their hands are clasped as they arrive and Harry seems to tap the clasp against his thigh as though wanting to reassure himself.”
Judi also said the Duke of Sussex is in “desperate need” of touch as he quickly wants to re-grab Meghan’s hand when it is out of his grasp.
The couple who have been visiting Nigeria together for the first time, are promoting the Invictus Games and the visit comes after Harry met the Nigerian team and General Musa at last year’s competition in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Meghan has sported a variety of colorful outfits on the tour, and earlier explained: “It has been a whirlwind 24 hours since we arrived, and I very quickly got the memo that I need to wear more colour so I can fit in with all of you in your incredible fashion.”