While Meghan all but underplayed her intense emotions in the tell-all interview with Oprah, Prince Harry let his anger show, according to body language expert Judi James
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have finally had their say about their decision to leave the Royal family.
Sunday night’s US screening of the tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey included multiple jaw-dropping revelations – from allegations of racism within the Royal family to the news that Prince Charles no longer takes Harry’s calls.
And beneath the already shocking words, the pair’s emotions ran high, with body language expert Judi James noting the intimate gestures that expose Meghan’s inner pain.
Judi tells the Mirror: “Meghan’s head shook from side to side in a gesture of disbelief as she spoke and her eyes either closed in cut-off rituals at her painful memories or performed an eye-stutter that suggested suppressed anger.
Meghan cried once when Oprah asked her about ‘suicidal thoughts’ during Sunday night’s tell-all interview (
Image:
Courtesy of Harpo Productions/CBS)
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“She cried once when Oprah asked her about ‘suicidal thoughts’ but overall she under-played her emotions apart from a few auto-contact gestures when she touched her face, some hand-chop baton gestures that made the split from the Firm look inevitable, and some moments when she stretched one hand out in an imploring hand ritual that suggests a desire for empathy and agreement or understanding.”
But while Meghan rather underplayed her emotions as she relived clearly traumatic events, her husband was not so restrained.
Judi describes how Harry came forward to take the lead after joining Meghan’s side.
Meghan’s emotions could be seen bubblinga beneath the surface (
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She says: “If the hors d’oevres trailers were shocking then this main course story of fake smiles hiding deep tragedy behind the scenes was utterly jaw-dropping.
“Meghan’s delivery was compelling but it was Harry whose body language was the biggest surprise.
“With Meghan comparing herself to the little mermaid who married her prince but lost her voice in the process, Harry did step up from the role of surrendered-looking male that we saw in the trailers to a much more dominant, body language-eloquent man keen to ensure what they described as his wife’s survival.”
Harry took charge when he joined the chat
Having interviewed a solo Meghan first, Oprah then invited Harry to join the conversaion.
Says Judi: “Harry’s body language suggested a range of very complex emotions and when he first arrived we saw Meghan reach out to clasp his hand in a gesture of protective reassurance.
“Their hand-clasps were intense throughout, often involving tightly meshed fingers and with either Harry or Meghan rubbing one another’s hand with a thumb as they spoke to signal constant, mutual, reassurance, unity and affection.
“When their clasp broke Harry often rubbed his wedding ring in what looked like a bid to keep the sense of contact with his wife.”
Harry did not try to hide his feelings, says Judi.
Meghan’s delivery was compelling but it was Harry whose body language was the biggest surprise (
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“Harry was emphatic rather than evasive. His anger looked visible at several moments and there was a massive lack of filter when he spoke about his father.
“Cut off financially and with his contact to his father apparently also cut off, this newly-voiced rift sounded surprisingly comprehensive. Harry’s long pause before answering said more than his words and when he spoke his leg rocked, he shook his head and he sucked his lips in, looking both angry and full of regret.
“The lip-sucking might also have been an attempt to stop himself crying as his eyes did seem to redden at this point.”
While his anger about the situation seemed clear, Harry’s feelings towards some family members remained warm.
The pair spoke to Oprah with no questions barred (
Image:
Courtesy of Harpo Productions/CBS)
While his anger about the situation seemed clear, Harry’s feelings towards some family members remained warm (
Image:
Courtesy of Harpo Productions/CBS)
“Harry’s voice did soften when he spoke about the Queen and then William though and although he raised both hands to clap them together then pull them apart in a gesture that suggested friction and separation from William, his smile and small laugh were congruent with his use of the word ‘love’, suggesting that was one rift that could possibly be healed.”
