Meghan Markle knows that when she steps out in public, the world’s eyes are watching.
The Duchess of Sussex has been showing a lot of affection towards Prince Harry recently. She has been seen snuggling up to him during different events at the Invictus Games.
During the opening ceremony in Vancouver, the royal couple was photographed with Meghan nuzzling into her husband’s shoulder.
Later that day, Prince Harry and Meghan made a surprise appearance at a National Hockey League game in the city, where Meghan once again showed her affection towards her husband.
Upon seeing themselves on the big screen, Meghan leaned in to place her head on Harry’s shoulder again and clung onto his arm – as the Duke beamed at the camera.
Yesterday, the pair travelled 75 miles from Vancouver to the snowy town of Whistler, where they greeted a crowd of 1,000 fans.
While up on stage, Meghan was pictured holding onto Harry’s arm again as they thanked the Invictus Games attendants.
Dubbing Meghan’s go-to pose the ‘limpet cling’, body language expert Judi James argued the Duchess of Sussex’s affectionate stances have been an ‘exaggerated display of love’ to send a message to royal watchers.
The expert said: ‘Meghan’s body language at the Canadian Invictus doesn’t just look like a natural expression of love.
Pictured: Meghan Markle snuggling up to Prince Harry on 8 February at the Invictus Games opening ceremony in Vancouver
‘Her “Limpet clinging”, latching trait in particular appears to be a projection signal, as though she’s trying to get an important message across to the world via some exaggerated body language displays.’
Judi says Meghan is employing ‘date night’ poses to prove their romance is as strong as ever – after a Vanity Fair expose reported the pair’s ‘love is real’ and they are ‘still hot for each other’.
Analysing their Invictus Games opening ceremony appearance, Judi said Prince Harry’s expression was ‘suitably modest’ while Meghan snuggling into him showed how she sees him as an ‘actual hero’.
Describing how Meghan is often perceived as the ‘more dominant’ person in the couple, Judi said: ‘She will often be seen steering Harry around or even accused of pushing him out of the way at times.
‘Emphatic clinging displays though would tend to look like a desire to pander to the critics and set the power balance straight.
‘They make her look submissive and besotted and him look strong. In many of their “cling” poses Harry is not reciprocating, sitting upright or even leaning away from his wife.
‘So it’s Meghan’s choice of performed signal, while he can just soak up the moment of power.’
In addition, Judi noticed how this pose echoed Harry and Meghan’s engagement announcement in Kensington Palace Gardens – where the Duchess kept one hand on the Duke’s arm.
After the Invictus Games opening ceremony, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a National Hockey League game in the city – where Meghan was pictured snuggling up to Harry again
The expert said: ‘Here she repeats that signature pose but with even more emphasis as even the fingers are meshed here in the clasp.
‘This suggests she wants to show they are welded together. It’s a “he’s mine” gesture of ownership that speaks of enduring bonding, which could also be seen as a message to critics like Trump.’
Meanwhile, Judi said Meghan was keen to ‘lower her status’ at that evening’s ice hockey game and draw focus to Prince Harry.
Examining their interactions on the big screen, Judi continued: ‘When she also lowers her head onto his bicep she enforces the message of submission to a protective and powerful male.
‘Would he return this gesture to her? Almost definitely not. By lowering her head and attaching it to him along with her hand clasp she lowers her own status and presents him as her heroic protector.’
What’s more, the expert said Meghan’s exaggerated head tilt suggests the Duchess wants to create a sense of ‘togetherness’ for the camera.
Judi added: ‘Meghan has recently moved back into the world and role of social media influencer, posting on sites like Instagram and that means making poses selfie-friendly.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (pictured) travelled 75 miles from Vancouver to the snowy town of Whistler, where they greeted a crowd of 1,000 fans
Body language expert Judi James said the couple’s Invictus Games opening ceremony appearance was reminiscent of their engagement announcement in November 2017
‘Meghan’s head-tilt rituals towards her husband involve effort and even some discomfort so they could be seen as creating the ideal, happy “togetherness” pose for the camera.
‘Head-tilting is also a cute, “likeable” gesture, suggesting she wants to be liked by the rest of the world.’
On top of this, Meghan also clung onto her husband’s arm on stage in Whistler yesterday as part of her ongoing ‘date night’ body language.
The expert added: ‘Harry leans in as though diving towards the mic and Meghan mirrors the body position, making them look like an active, energetic and playful team of two.
‘This is team-bonding clinging, where the bodies are mirrored, suggesting a like-minded approach.’
Prince Harry gives the thumbs up as he and Meghan Markle attended the Whistler welcome party
Pictured: Prince Harry and Michael Buble shake hands onstage at the Whistler Welcome Celebration
Harry and Meghan are spending three days in Whistler watching competitors taking part in adaptive winter sports, including the skeleton and alpine skiing.
The Duke of Sussex thanked the crowd for showing their support before dragging his wife on stage to help open the three days of events at the luxury ski resort, having enjoyed some beers together first.
As the crowd cheered, Meghan Markle, stylish in a white full length coat, black top and beanie hat, stood next to her husband who cheekily said: ‘Now she’s going to sing!’
Caught off guard, the Duchess shook her head laughing as the lively crowd whooped and clapped in a bid to persuade her to perform.
Moments earlier, Canadian pop star Buble had performed an impromptu version of his hit ‘Feeling Good’ after he was brought on to the stage to introduce Harry.
The Prince acknowledged the crowd, made up of those taking part in the games and holidaymakers, who were braving the freezing weather.
