Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped out together in public on Thursday, October 15, greeting crowds in Nottingham. It marked the first time the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had carried out a joint engagement since returning to the UK in August.
As they interacted with fans who had gathered to see them, a body language expert spotted a small gesture from Harry that she believes could convey a much bigger message. The Prince was repeatedly seen placing a hand on his wife's back as she stopped to greet fans, seemingly in support of her return.
Expert: Back touching is about endorsement
According to body language expert Beth Dawson, the gesture could be a sign of solidarity between the couple, who married in 2018, reports The Mirror.
She shared: "Harry's repeated touches on Meghan's back can be interpreted in a few different ways. He could be reassuring her. However it can also be public signalling, and I think that’s what we’re seeing here. The back touching is more about endorsement."
"Harry is saying to the public: we are a unit, we are a team and he's subconsciously saying: I support this person and what she’s doing. It’s about solidarity more than reassurance," she added.
Harry 'more nervous' than Meghan
Beth also suggested that Harry appeared more nervous than Meghan. "I don't think she's nervous, but I think he is! And his back touches are about him endorsing her and showing the public that they are a team," she explained.
"I think that giving the message that they're a strong solid unit is important to Harry, hence the constant back touching," she added.
The body language expert also believes Meghan's career as an actress may help her manage any outward signs of nervousness. "She seems very comfortable engaging directly with people in the crowd," Beth added. "She positions herself towards them and stands close for selfies and she knows this creates a sense of warmth and accessibility."
Meeting with a 90-year-old fan
Meghan appeared particularly touched by a 90-year-old fan named Irene Hardman, who presented the Duchess with a photograph of them together from 2017, when she and Harry visited Nottingham as an engaged couple. Spotting the framed photograph, Meghan reportedly said: "Oh my gosh how sweet is that. You look beautiful, I like your shoes."
Looking more closely at the picture, the Duchess added: "Oh my gosh that was our very first walkabout. Oh my gosh what a great memory." When Irene's friend pointed out that she was also in the photograph, Meghan replied: "Oh my gosh ladies, what was that, nine years ago? I remember this day so well, that is so special. We’ll have to take another picture."
Harry and Meghan moved back to the UK with their children, Archie and Lilibet, in August after spending six years in the US. King Charles III has since reiterated that the couple remain non-working members of the Royal Family, a status they accepted after stepping back from official royal duties in 2020.
