Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s ‘parent and child-like’ ritual laid bare by expert

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry perform ‘parent and child-like’ rituals in public, according to a body language expert.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle holding hands

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle conduct a “parent and child-like” ritual when out in public, claims a body language expert.

Commenting on the royal duo’s recent three-day visit to Nigeria, the Duke of Sussex was “reluctant” to let go of his wife’s hand during the third day of their tour.

The Duke, 39, and Duchess, 42, walked hand-in-hand as they arrived at the State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s house where they were guests of honour on May 12.

Body language expert, Judi James, told the Daily Mail the royal couple appear uneasy when apart: “There’s something almost parent-childlike about this body language as Harry and Meghan perform small dance-like rituals to avoid letting go of each other’s hands, even for a second.”

She added: “They seem to want to cling together for affection and to have a tactile link to create tie-signs i.e. small steering touches or moments of reassurance while they are out appearing in public.”

Meghan and Harry “cling together for affection” claims expert

Meghan kept her word to ditch her monochrome styling for bright colours and honour her Nigerian roots as she donned a stunning yellow canary dress in Lagos – she also wore the dress in 2021 when she announced her pregnancy with Princess Lilibet.

Commenting further on their body language, Judi explained: “Their hands are clasped as they arrive and Harry seems to tap the clasp against his thigh as though wanting to reassure himself.”

Judi also said the Duke of Sussex is in “desperate need” of touch as he quickly wants to re-grab Meghan’s hand when it is out of his grasp.

The couple who have been visiting Nigeria together for the first time, are promoting the Invictus Games and the visit comes after Harry met the Nigerian team and General Musa at last year’s competition in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Meghan has sported a variety of colorful outfits on the tour, and earlier explained: “It has been a whirlwind 24 hours since we arrived, and I very quickly got the memo that I need to wear more colour so I can fit in with all of you in your incredible fashion.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in Nigeria visit

The couple were in Nigeria this weekend to promote their work with the Invictus Games.

Last year, Nigeria became the first African country to take part in the Invictus Games, a sporting competition for wounded military personnel and veterans, co-founded by Prince Harry in 2014.

On the first day of the mini-tour on Friday, Harry spoke about the joy the Nigeria team brought to the games in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Before arriving in the country, Prince Harry visited London as part of celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, and attended a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Harry had last been in the UK in February this year, to briefly visit his father, King Charles, after he was diagnosed with cancer.