Meghan Markle appeared "fragile" as she arrived at the European Parliament in Brussels with Prince Harry, a body language expert has revealed. The appearance on Tuesday marked the first time Meghan has been seen since the arrest of her father, Thomas Markle, who was charged with possession of child sex abuse images on Friday.
Dressed in solemn black, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived hand-in-hand at the event shortly before Harry took to the stage to give a landmark speech about online child safety. Meghan was also due to speak; however, her spokesperson confirmed that she is "not strong enough" to do so following her father's arrest.
Body Language Signals of Fragility and Protection
Examining images of the couple's highly anticipated arrival at the event, body language expert Judi James explained how Meghan was exerting a sense of "fragility and vulnerability", while Harry was displaying signs of protecting his wife.
Ms James told the Daily Express: "Meghan's body language signals appear set to convey a sense of fragility and vulnerability. There are two key 'tells' to this messaging here: firstly, as she walks into the area, instead of greeting the press and her hosts with the usual arrival smile of delight, energy and confidence while quietly taking the lead, there is a trait of smile suppression in the way her lips part slightly, with a tightening of her top lip and then that non-verbal cue of a sense of wariness as she raises her hand to touch her hair in a partial barrier ritual."
Noting the second of Meghan's signals, Ms James continues: "The second tell comes from the same left hand, which she then stuffs into her pocket. When Meghan frequently places one hand into a pocket, it is usually a gesture meant to show off her outfit to the fullest or to signal relaxed confidence, but here there is an intrinsic difference. Her whole hand is stuffed into that pocket, where normally the thumb would remain outside. This lets us know it is a gesture linked more to a desire to protect or hide than a desire to fashion-flaunt."
Decision Not to Speak and Emotional Impact
Meghan's last-minute decision not to speak at the event was announced on Monday, with a source telling The Telegraph: "She's just not strong enough, emotionally, to be doing any public speaking right now."
The comment came after her father was arrested by the FBI at his care home in Florida after an unspecified amount of indecent material was discovered at locations connected to Mr Markle in the Philippines and Mexico. The alleged possession of child abuse material reportedly included images of Mr Markle with young girls.
While Meghan has made very few comments on her father's scandal, the expert is clear that the impact is weighing heavily on the Duchess. "Her eye expression suggests some sadness here," Ms James points out. "Her eyes normally sparkle when she's in public, but that amused and excited look has vanished here, and some of the photos suggest a more reflective state."
Harry's Protective Gestures and Silence to Press
"Her sombre outfit also suggests no desire to showboat confidently. The black coat is pulled in hard at the waist with a tight double knot, and her collar is turned up and folded over, as if forming another barrier ritual." Meghan gave no response as media shouted: "Meghan, how are you feeling? How are you coping?" She did not look towards the press and continued walking, talking to one of her hosts as she made her way through the foyer.
Another member of the press asked: "Meghan, Harry, any comment on the situation?" but the Sussexes did not react. Turning her attention to the Duke, the expert is clear that Prince Harry is exerting protective gestures towards his wife. Ms James concludes: "Harry is leading and protecting his wife here, walking with chest puffed and his left arm in front of hers so that her right arm is virtually hidden behind him."
"Her fingers curl up in the clasp while his appear to bend at the upper joint so that his fingertips are pressed into her hand. As Meghan looks fragile, his signals suggest wariness. He looks down as they arrive, and at one point he lifts his right hand to stroke his beard in what is often a self-soothing gesture."
