As they left a ballroom in New York last night after their first public appearance together since the Coronation, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were beaming.
The Duchess of Sussex was ‘in full goddess mode’ after accepting a feminist award at the Ms Foundation for Women’s 50th anniversary gala event, according to body language expert Judi James, who spoke to MailOnline.
Photo: Adam Gray
Meghan delivered her speech at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan in a “dreamier tone than usual” and was “conducting her audience,” according to Ms. James.
In addition, Meghan made a “powerful” allusion to her mother Doria Ragland, who was present at the event last night, using her left hand to make a “vertical chopping gesture to suggest pride and a desire to defend,” according to Ms. James.
She also claimed that when talking about being a young girl and “adopting that voice,” 41-year-old Meghan used “verbal mirroring to create empathy with her audience.”
The duchess was given the Women of Vision Award by the Ms Foundation in recognition of her “global advocacy to empower and advocate on behalf of women and girls.”
It’s never too late to start, she said in her acceptance speech as she left the gala in a strapless gold midi dress with scalloped pattern detailing. You have the power to create the life of your dreams. There is a ton of work left to do.
Photo: GC Images
According to Ms. James, who examined online videos of her speech, “Dressed and styled in goddess mode, with her gold sheath dress and her hair pulled to one side, Meghan seems to start this speech as a guru, speaking in a softer, almost dreamier tone than usual, turning frequently to her famous hosts behind her, and making a gesture with one hand that appears to be one of respect.
‘She looks back behind her once more as she clasps her hands in front of her lower chest. Her movements and speech are calm and fluid.
Meghan quickens her speech to emphasize a different point and gives it more of an upbeat, direct tone as she speaks to the audience.
Her left hand appears to be conducting her words with a fluid wrist movement, as though also conducting her audience as she conveys her life lessons, and her eye contact with them appears to be rotating.
Photo: GC Images
In her Archetypes podcast from last November, Meghan mentioned how she used to eat dinner from a tray in front of the TV game show Jeopardy! when she was younger.
According to Ms. James, who commented on this, “Meghan touches her hair in a self-lowering gesture as she begins to use verbal mirroring to create empathy with her audience, speaking about her time as a young girl and even adopting that voice, as though reliving it.
She speaks in a sing-song voice, bounces on her heels, and makes open gestures.
When mentioning the feminist magazine Ms that used to be on their coffee table, Meghan also paid tribute to her mother Ms. Ragland.
I was too young at the time to understand what most of it meant, the duchess admitted. But I also told my mother—my dear mother, it is an honor to have you here tonight—that I understood the significance of these magazines. She was a subscriber, so it wasn’t an isolated incident.
Photo: Adam Gray
Ms. James remarked, “There is a powerful connection to family from Meghan here.” She makes a very dramatic reference to her mother in the audience while discussing diversity in magazines. “My mom, my dear mom,” she says, “who I’m honored to have with me tonight.”
As she pauses her speech to compliment Doria, she says, “This is not just a passing reference.” Her right hand is extended in the direction of Doria’s seat, while her left hand makes a vertical chopping motion to imply pride and a desire to defend.
Meghan performs a sweet smile, a head tilt, a pause, and her right hand serves as a cue for the audience to applaud, Ms. James continued.
Gloria Steinem, a well-known feminist activist, gave Meghan the award.
Photo: Getty Images
Ten days had passed since the duke’s lone visit to London for the King’s Coronation earlier this month.
Archie and Lilibet’s parents’ US home in Montecito, California, was where Meghan had chosen to remain.
At a ceremony held in New York last year, the duo received the Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award in addition to the NAACP President’s Award.
