Prince Harry appeared to show signs of tension as he walked alongside his wife, Meghan Markle, during their visit to Brussels today, a body language expert has suggested. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made an appearance in the Belgian capital this morning as part of their one-day visit, with the couple thought to have travelled without their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The appearance is their first since Meghan's father's arrest in the US last week. Thomas Markle Snr, whom Meghan has been estranged from for many years, was arrested and charged in connection with allegations involving purported child sex abuse material, which he has called "sick lies". The 82-year-old has not seen his youngest daughter in a number of years, with him also having never met Harry, nor Archie and Lilibet.
Expert Analysis of Harry's Body Language
Speaking of Harry's appearance alongside his wife today, especially with everything going on with her father, body language expert Judi James said that the royal appeared to show signs of tension. She told the Express: "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."
James added: "As Meghan looks fragile his signals suggest wariness." Discussing a gesture from Harry that shows tension, she said: "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-soothe gesture."
Meghan's Reaction to Her Father's Arrest
Meghan was previously planning on speaking at a major event focused on children's online safety, but opted out just hours before their arrival. "She's just not strong enough, emotionally, to be doing any public speaking right now," a source told The Telegraph.
A spokesperson for the Duchess of Sussex confirmed that while Meghan has had no contact with her father in over six years, the allegations have left her deeply troubled. Meanwhile, a source close to Meghan told The Sun following last week's arrest that she hopes there will be a "full and thorough investigation".
Meghan's relationship with her father became fractured in the weeks prior to her royal wedding to Harry in May 2018. Although she has made no public comment herself, Meghan has made it clear that she expects the full force of the law to be applied.
