Prince Harry has been compared to his late mother, Princess Diana, during his ongoing UK trip, as he displays "total confidence" and authenticity in his public appearances, according to a body language expert.
Arrival and Engagements
The Duke of Sussex landed in the UK on Monday and has since attended several engagements, including an Invictus Games event in London on Tuesday. At the event, Harry took the stage to deliver a speech about the significance of the games, ahead of the 2027 Invictus tournament scheduled to be held in Birmingham next year.
Body Language Expert Analysis
Speaking to OLBG, body language expert Darren Stanton noted that Harry, who once appeared shy during speeches, now "comes into his own" when discussing causes he is passionate about. Stanton said: "When Prince Harry is up on a stage, he really comes into his own. I see so many parallels with Diana; he is so deeply passionate about the causes he supports. From a non-verbal point of view, this is all incredibly clear."
Stanton highlighted Harry's open hand gestures, which he described as "open and honest" and acting as "almost punctuation marks" that align with his words. "It shows that he is completely in sync with what he was saying and really believes it. It shows real authenticity," Stanton added.
Previously, Harry exhibited "pacifying gestures" such as touching the back of his neck or rubbing his eye, traits he shared with his brother Prince William and father King Charles. Stanton noted: "He also no longer exhibits pacifying gestures... we used to see these a lot more, they are something that both he and William inherited from Charles. So, as well as being totally committed, he is totally confident."
Contrasting Gestures
Stanton explained that when a speaker's gestures are out of sync with their words, it often indicates a lack of commitment. Harry's current synchronised gestures demonstrate his genuine belief in his message.
Changes to Travel Plans
Harry arrived in the UK alone on Monday. Originally, he planned to bring his wife Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, but these plans changed after he learned he would no longer receive armed police protection. Additionally, he was initially expected to stay at Buckingham Palace, but the invitation was withdrawn after he reportedly took too long to accept.
