Judi James, a prominent expert on non-verbal communication in Britain, analyzed the first appearance of Princes William and Harry together with their wives, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, outside Windsor Castle since 2020.
As the United Kingdom mourns the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, poignant images continue to emerge. Amid citizen tributes and the gestures of the new King Carlos III, Princes William and Harry presented an image of reconciliation in Windsor on Saturday while greeting well-wishers and viewing floral tributes with their respective wives.
However, the body language and gestures conveyed a sense of tension, especially between Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle. Body language expert Judi James described the reunion as "an intentional gesture rather than a sign that the Fab Four were somehow back" and suggested a desire to do the right thing in respect of their grandmother and the new King.
James noted Kate's actions when the four arrived in the same car, emphasizing Kate's apparent feelings toward Meghan. "Kate got out of the car and closed the door herself, striding out and leaving Meghan in her wake. There was no eye contact between them," said James.
The strained dynamic continued during the walk. At the end, both Meghan and Kate bit their lips instead of smiling at each other. James observed, "Kate retreated so far that William extended an arm to pull her toward Harry and Meghan for the final pose of the lineup."
While Kate appeared reluctant, William took the lead, directing her to join the show of unity. James pointed out that during Prince Philip's funeral, Kate took on a similar role, pushing her husband to show a united front with Harry.
William's extended stance, confident walk, and leadership gestures indicated that this "statement" behavior was his idea. James suggested that other revealing moments, such as William extending an arm to bring Meghan closer and including her in the group, indicated discomfort between the brothers.
The brothers mirrored each other's body language, suggesting underlying strong bonds amid disagreements. Meghan and Harry displayed signs of discomfort during the walk, with Meghan offering reassurance through gestures like back massages and "partial hugs."
Despite moments of eye contact and conversation between Kate, Harry, and Meghan, James noted a shift from previous interactions, stating, "It was a far cry from the days like her Christmas walk to church when Kate was happy to approach Meghan with smiles and friendly chats."
