A body language expert claimed that Prince Harry’s most recent public appearance in New York with his wife Meghan Markle, who served as his “rock,” gave the impression that he was “nervous” and “uncomfortable.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a joint appearance to observe Nelson Mandela International Day on Monday at the General Assembly’s informal meeting of the United Nations, where Harry gave the keynote address. Although the royal has spoken in front of large crowds before, Darren Stanton admitted he was particularly anxious before his most recent speech, and his wife provided “maternal” comfort.
In one private scene, the couple is seated in the audience, and Meghan can be seen holding the Duke’s hand and massaging his arm.
Slingo’s Darren explained to HELLO! that Meghan was “putting on a brave face for both of them, smiling away yet conscious of how Harry is feeling,” which was obvious because “her face isn’t completely engaged.”
“As they sat together, Meghan was seen holding hands and stroking Harry’s forearm in a maternal way, like you might see some mothers do with a child – it’s a sign of reassurance and shows how Meghan feels guarded of her husband,” a source said.
According to the author, Meghan took Harry’s arm to try and calm him down and let him know that she was there to support him. “Harry, meanwhile, appears restless and is unable to sit still — his mind preoccupied with his speech, no doubt,” he continued.
Harry, according to Darren, “appeared nervous from the get-go,” in stark contrast to Meghan, who was “oozing confidence” when she arrived at the UN. Harry was seen holding Meghan’s hand and making “self-assurance gestures” throughout his speech, according to Darren. He was also seen adjusting his jacket or tucking his hand behind his jacket.
She, on the other hand, is accustomed to being in the spotlight and exudes confidence as she welcomes people and supports Harry. While Harry is much more reserved and made non-verbal indications of discomfort, Meghan can be seen laughing and smiling widely. He frequently looks to Meghan and her self-assurance in situations like this to boost his own.
Once on stage, Harry’s anxiety and jitters did not seem to subside, and Darren called attention to his “distress signals”.
“As he spoke, Harry continued to bite his lip, which is a self-assurance move we all make when we’re feeling anxious. He was also fidgeting with the suit jacket button.
At some points, Harry showed a bilateral arm shrug, which is an unconscious movement in which the left arm moves in and out and is often indicative of discomfort and a desire for the situation to end as soon as possible.
When he started talking about his late mother, Princess Diana, he reportedly displayed “a huge emotional shift.” With references to Nelson Mandela’s life, legacy, and the lessons that have been learned from the late president’s struggle, Harry also spoke about climate change and poverty.
