Martin Kemp made a sweet parenting admission about son Roman, 31, on Thursday’s Loose Women, leaving the panellists surprised

Martin Kemp stunned the Loose Women studio on Thursday as he made a sweet parenting admission about son Roman.

The Spandau Ballet icon, 62, shares son Roman, 31, and daughter Harley, 35, with wife Shirlie Holliman, who he married in 1988.

On Thursday’s episode of Loose Women, panellists Denise Welch and Judi Love were joined by Martin and Vernon Kay in a Loose Men shake-up. During the instalment, the panellists discussed the topic “do you parent boys and girls differently?” which prompted a surprising response from Martin.

Host, Denise, 66, asked: “Do you worry more about Harley though than you do Roman just because she’s a girl?” to which Martin admitted: “I didn’t, actually, it was the other way round. I used to worry far more about Roman because boys have that thing of getting into fights. That made me worry a lot more.

Martin Kemp stunned the Loose Women studio on Thursday as he made a sweet parenting admission about son Roman ( 
Image:
ITV)

“To a point where when Roman started going out, you know when they start going to the house parties, about 16 to 17, Shirlie and I would take them. We would drive them to wherever the house party was and instead of going back home we would wait there in the car for four hours with sandwiches.”

This admission led to gasps and laughter from the Loose Women studio as Judi asked: “Waiting for them to come out?” to which a giggling Martin explained: “Yeah, waiting for them to come out!”

Martin has a very close bond with presenter son Roman and only recently his son teased his famous father over his unique wardrobe choices on their podcast FFS! My Dad Is Martin Kemp. During their chat, Roman noticed his dad’s new sunglasses. Initially, Martin said, while noticing his son’s facial expression: “When I came in this morning, I thought I looked quite cool.”

Roman then quizzed: “What is that? You got mum’s sunglasses on?” In defence, Martin then said: “I haven’t got mum’s sunglasses, they’re my new ones. Bit of Tom Ford.” Believing that his dad was pranking him as the glasses were seemingly feminine, Martin then added: “Ro what are you laughing at?”

Martin has a very close bond with presenter son Roman and the duo have their own podcast ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
In response, Roman continued: “They’re not yours, please don’t tell me that. How much did you spend on them?” To make matters worse Roman was then told his dad spent £300 at an airport for his new purchase.

He replied, in between fits of laughter: “No you didn’t.” And it looks as though fans of their podcast enjoyed their banter, while some sided with Roman over his view of his father’s so-called trendy purchase. One person added in the comment section of the post: “You two are definitely a good replacement for Morecambe & Wise lol.”

Another added: “Ha ha agree with your son. They are just not your style.” Meanwhile, a third person said: “Best podcast ever .. I’m going to listen to them all again & hope you get another series.” And a fourth fan wrote: “You can rely on your kids to tell it straight.”

Roman recently quit his role on Capital Breakfast with his replacement announced as BBC Radio One Drivetime host Jordan North. Roman has been busy with his podcast and presenting duties on The One Show.

Eastenders and Emmerdale writer Sharon Marshall teased fans on This Morning, with the possibility of Mick Carter returning to the BBC One soap after a two year hiatus

This Morning star Sharon Marshall dropped a major tease for Mick Carter to return to Eastenders.

The former writer of the BBC One drama had been so impressed with some of the incredible actors and actresses who had made epic comebacks that she decided to run her own poll on the subject.

Speaking to host’s Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, the soap correspondent pondered over the thought of some iconic people making remarkable returns to their respective soap lands.

However, she wanted to establish fans’ views on the subject, with one clear winner at the top of the survey, the beloved fan favourite, Mick Carter, played by Danny Dyer.

Fans will recall that fateful Christmas episode back in 2022 when Mick disappeared into the English Channel after a terrifying accident occured at sea.

Is Mick Carter ready to return to Eastenders? ( 
Image:
BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Mick’s final scenes saw him rescue his two ex-wives Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks). Although it was assumed he had died in the ordeal, his body was never recovered and his fate remains a mystery to this very day.

Sharon, had been celebrating one of EastEnders most recent comebacks when she dropped the teaser about Mick. She said: “I was looking at Yolande [Trueman] and there have been so many good comebacks, Angela Wynter has just been acing the storyline.

Sharon let slip the details from the poll she held
“We did ask you [the viewers] who you would most like to see,” turning to Cat and Ben, she asked: “Shall I do a top three?”

Chiming back with glee, Cat exclaimed: “Yeah, what did the viewers say?” As Sharon detailed those who’d came out on top: “Number three, they want him to come and help his mum obviously, Adam Barton in Emmerdale.”

Sharon explained fans want Mick Carter back on-screensShe added: “Number two, Grant [Grant Mitchell] in Eastenders,” before turning her attention to first place. The expert revealed: “But the top one Mick Carter, they think he could have held his breath under the waves all that time.”

The former screenwriter had been shocked by a number of the replies she’d received from fans and their extensive requests to see some old characters return to soaps.

She went on to outline: “What happened was I just put a few names up there and then people started coming up with their own storylines on who they’d like to see coming back.

“Michael Adams and Denise Welch, watch this, he wants Natalie Barns back in Corrie,” she said with surprise in her voice while nodding for Denise – who was in the ITV headquarters for Loose Women – to take stock.

Last weekend in Montecito, Meghan Markle took center stage at the grand opening of the bookstore Godmothers Only. However, her moment in the…

 

Last weekend in Montecito, Meghan Markle took center stage at the grand opening of the bookstore Godmothers Only. However, her moment in the spotlight was abruptly interrupted by none other than Oprah Winfrey. It seems even Oprah isn’t immune to Meghan’s infamous flare-ups.

According to journalist Elizabeth Holmes, who was there with a camera, the incident was nothing short of a comedy of errors. Meghan, perched on a modest stage, was mid-speech, waxing poetic about the safety she feels in bookstores—one of those profound revelations that only someone of Meghan’s intellectual stature could deliver. That’s when Oprah made her entrance, slipping into the front row like a stealthy ninja.

 

Holmes shared the amusing moment on Instagram, recounting how she was completely absorbed in filming Meghan’s every word when Oprah’s quiet arrival caught her off guard. Oprah, it seems, had been prepping for her own part of the program in the green room. When she finally appeared, she did so with all the subtlety of a cat burglar. Holmes recounted, “I didn’t even realize it was Oprah until she was right in front of me. So surreal.” It was almost as if Oprah was deliberately trying to add a little chaos to the event. 

The spectacle grew more entertaining from there. Meghan Markle, with her usual grace, managed to transform a simple bookstore speech into a dramatic performance of annoyance. As Oprah took a seat, Meghan’s composure seemed to crack like poorly applied foundation. The once-Royal Duchess was visibly flustered, her irritation palpable as Oprah waved to friends and distractedly settled in.

The sheer audacity of Oprah interrupting Meghan’s monologue on bookstore safety was too much for Markle to handle. One can only imagine the internal monologue Meghan was having: “How dare Oprah ruin my grand soliloquy about checking out books? Did she not realize how crucial my words are?” The small, intimate bookstore setting seemed to shrink further as Meghan’s distress became the evening’s main event.

Meghan’s speech was already teetering on the edge of a cringe-fest. Her attempt to make buying a book sound like an earth-shattering event was nothing short of amateur hour. It’s as if she expected the audience to be blown away by her riveting account of standing in line at the cashier. Perhaps Oprah’s entrance was a well-timed intervention to prevent further damage to everyone’s eardrums.

Theories about Oprah’s intentions began to swirl. Was her late arrival a deliberate ploy to unsettle Meghan, akin to how Meghan allegedly tried to rattle Catherine by asking to borrow her lip balm? Or was Oprah simply late, with her timing more coincidental than conspiratorial? Either way, the scene played out like a soap opera of high-society awkwardness.

Meanwhile, the crowd, composed of the usual suspects of fame and vanity, seemed more interested in their own reflections than in the substance of Meghan’s speech. The event showcased celebrity self-indulgence, with each attendee more concerned about their own image than the actual bookstore opening.

 

Meghan’s apparent lack of self-awareness was on full display. Standing in a tiny bookstore, she was caught in the delusion that her words were of monumental importance. The fact that she couldn’t even muster a polite acknowledgment of Oprah’s presence showed just how consumed she was by her own narrative. 

So here’s to Meghan Markle and a bookstore drama—a perfect example of how a minor celebrity event can spiral into an epic tale of narcissistic overreaction. And kudos to Oprah for providing a touch of reality to an otherwise insipid evening.

Lizzie Cundy forced to ‘tell Meghan Markle off’ after awkward Victoria Beckham meeting

Meghan Markle “squealed” when she saw Victoria Beckham in the flesh, her former pal said. Telly presenter and model Lizzie Cundy a…

Meghan Markle “squealed” when she saw Victoria Beckham in the flesh, her former pal said.

Telly presenter and model Lizzie Cundy and Meghan became friends in 2013 when she was asked to sit with the Duchess at a charity event hosted by John Caudwell. Meghan, 43, was unknown in the UK at the time and had jetted in to promote herself and the legal drama and befriended a string of UK celebrities.

At the time, the future Duchess of Sussex was known in the States for playing Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits, as well as for writing her blog, The Tig, which she closed down after meeting Prince Harry. Lizzie, 56, and Meghan instantly hit it off and became friends.

 

But things turned sour when Meghan officially started dating King Charles’ son and is said to have severed ties with all of her UK pals, including Piers Morgan. Now, Lizzie has bagged her own Amazon Prime show, Red Carpet Uncut, and has promised to share behind-the-scenes footage with Meghan. 

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror about their first outing, Lizzie said: “We can [expect Meghan bloopers] she was ‘so excited to be there’, she was calling me babe saying she loved London and the red telephone boxes and red busses. She was obsessed with London, you can see it from the interview.

“She was so thrilled to be in the room with Victoria Beckham. This was the night I actually had to tell her to stop squealing when she did see Victoria, it wasn’t too cool and she was very overexcited. This was the time before she met her Harry, she was still in Suits, I’d never heard about it. This interview, she asked me to interview her!”

Lizzie went on to explain that her producer at the time she was interviewing on the red carpet said: “We’ve got huge stars, Eva Longoria and Victoria Beckham, we haven’t got time for this’ I said ‘No we have to, I promised her.’” Lizzie added that they agreed to record the interview which almost didn’t make the final cut. “Who knew, it’s mad, she was very excited, she was very excited to be in the room with Victoria Beckham,” Lizzie said, before adding: “It’s sad that their relationship has soured slightly.”

 

Meghan and Harry, and showbiz royalty David and Victoria Beckham have had rumours circulate of snubs and a less-than-friendly phone call that imply that the relationship has now turned frosty. Harry and Meghan were said to be worried that close friends might be leaking stories about them and were keen to find out who could be behind it. 

It is alleged that in particular, Meghan suspected Victoria – and Harry called David to repeat the accusation. A source close to the Beckhams told the publication: “David and Victoria went to Meghan and Harry’s wedding and were very supportive when Meghan arrived in the UK.”

William and Charles’ Hidden Chat About Catherine’s New Royal Title Revealed!

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As the summer sun bathes Buckingham Palace in a warm golden light, the historic venue is preparing to host crucial discussions regarding the future of the British Monarchy. Last August, the royal family’s holiday at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland evolved into a significant summit where plans for the monarchy’s next decade were carefully deliberated.

A private meeting took place at Buckingham Palace with King Charles III, Princess Catherine of Wales, and Prince William focusing on major adjustments expected to the monarchy in the first half of 2024 and strategies to tackle potential challenges. Both Charles and Catherine have been facing health issues, with cancer affecting them, while Catherine is also recovering from an injury sustained earlier this year. These health concerns are likely to shape the conversations, leading to a greater role for lesser-known working royals during the trio’s potential absence from duties.
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King Charles, who made history as the oldest monarch to take the British throne at the age of 73, may not reign for as long as some expect. Depending on how long he lives, which could be contingent on living as long as his late mother Queen Elizabeth II, there are suggestions Charles may not reach significant milestones or jubilees during his reign. Many insiders believe Charles’ cancer prognosis is more serious than publicly acknowledged, with some estimating he may only have a 2-year lifespan remaining. Even before his diagnosis, there were worries about his health.

Despite the media’s early focus on William and Catherine assuming the throne, their decision to take their time before doing so reflects a wise and mature approach. Allowing for a smoother transition ensures that the monarchy will be led by someone fully ready for the immense responsibilities of the role. As the monarchy faces new challenges, the traditional roles of royal family members are clearly evolving.
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Catherine has consistently lifted Charles’ spirits by encouraging him to look forward to future experiences. Their shared journey through cancer has brought them closer together in ways they never anticipated. Understanding Charles’ love for nature, Catherine often suggests places they can visit together after completing her own cancer treatment. The Princess of Wales is now set to make a significant return to royal duties, with a major public event on the horizon.

Her gradual re-entry into royal life underscores her commitment to both her health and responsibilities. Despite reports indicating her full recovery could take several years, the unwavering support from King Charles and Prince William has been a source of strength for Catherine. An insider revealed that Catherine, whom Charles regards as the daughter he never had, has been a great comfort to him – even while facing her own health battles.
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Rather than quickly returning to a packed public schedule, Catherine has kept her connection to charitable initiatives alive through video messages and social media. On September 17th, she met with members of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood to discuss her “Early Years” campaign. Catherine had previously been keeping a low profile to prioritize her health, but returned to social media on September 9th to share updates on her remission journey.

The severity of her condition has reminded the royal family of the importance of cherishing life. While she has begun meeting with staff again, Catherine is expected to take her time reintegrating fully into public duties. In the meantime, Prince William traveled to Scotland to engage in work focused on homelessness, expressing gratitude to those who assist the homeless while emphasizing the importance of family support and bonding.
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The royal family plans to participate in numerous outdoor activities together that promote family togetherness and allow Catherine to continue her recovery at a comfortable pace. King Charles is eager to enjoy quality time with his grandchildren, engaging in fun and educational pursuits like fishing, horseback riding, hiking and more. These shared family experiences not only help to strengthen bonds but also provide Catherine with peace of mind knowing her children are in loving hands as she focuses on her health.

As planning continues for the monarchy’s next chapter, the current priorities of the family are understandably centered around health,recovery, support and cherishing time together. With wise leadership and an emphasis on gradual transitions, the institution is ensuring stability and preparedness for the future during this reflective period.
 

Meghan Markle Is Having a ‘Meltdown’ as Her Character Is Attacked and Those Who Did so Aren’t Backing Down

 

Some unwanted press came Meghan Markle‘s way in early September when The Hollywood Reporter published a blistering story about working for P…

Some unwanted press came Meghan Markle‘s way in early September when The Hollywood Reporter published a blistering story about working for Prince Harry’s wife, labeling her a “dictator in high heels” who “marches around fuming and barking orders.”

The “Sussex Survivor Club” members who spoke to the publication insisted that the reason for such a high turnover with the duke and duchess’s staffers is because “Everyone’s terrified of Meghan. She belittles people, she doesn’t take advice … she’s just terrible … I’ve watched her reduce grown men to tears.”

 

And if that’s not damning enough, the story is titled: “Why Hollywood Keeps Quitting on Harry and Meghan.” That’s quite a blow to the former Suits star as she has been trying to jumpstart different projects since moving back to the U.S. in 2020, including a lifestyle brand. So now, some have come to Meghan’s defense to dispute the allegations. But those who made the claims are not backing down. 

A few of Meghan’s former employees came to her defense amid the duchess’s ‘meltdown’

THR story has gained so much traction since it was published that many royal watchers opined it could actually kill Meghan’s Hollywood comeback. Therefore, commentators on Talk TV believe that Meghan is having a “meltdown” over it. Now though, a few former and current Sussex employees have decided to come forward and sing the pair’s praises in an effort to dispute the damning “dictator” claims.

The couple’s ex-chief of staff Josh Kettler, who made headlines for mysteriously quitting just before Harry and Meghan’s high-profile visit to Colombia, told US Weekly that the Sussexes are “dedicated and hardworking” and he was “warmly welcomed” upon joining their team.

Ben Browning, Archewell’s former head of content, recalled his experience working with Harry and Meghan as being “positive and supportive” adding that “The narratives we’ve seen suggesting the contrary are untrue.”

And a current staffer, who wished to remain anonymous, said they were “dumbfounded by the claims” and what’s being put out there is “likely made up from someone who’s disgruntled.”

THR stands by report, talked to a dozen people who branded Meghan ‘difficult’

Despite these claims from Sussex supporters, The Hollywood Reporter isn’t backing down and stands by its story.

Editor-In-Chief Maer Roshan told Access Hollywood: “Our reporter talked to I think a dozen people most of them are people who work very closely with the couple in various capacities now and previously. Our reporter talked to a very high-up source who works for the couple who said, ‘Everyone is terrified of Meghan Markle.’

 

“‘Duchess Difficult’ is a nickname that has trailed Meghan Markle for quite a few years. What is new is that this notion, since coming to America, that a lot of these rumors were manufactured by the Palace and the reporting that we did suggests that probably isn’t true and there is still this undercurrent of fear.” 

The report also noted that when Meghan joined the royal family in 2018, an investigation was opened following allegations that she had “bullied” and mistreated her staffers. The findings of that investigation have never been made public and Harry and Meghan have always denied the bullying accusations.

According to royal sources, Princess Catherine can’t simply forget her friendship with Prince Harry. We all know their relationship has …

According to royal sources, Princess Catherine can’t simply forget her friendship with Prince Harry. We all know their relationship has been strained for years, largely due to Meghan and Harry’s actions.

According to one source, Princess Catherine wants to mend fences with Harry and is keen on repairing their relationship. A source told Star Magazine via Marie Claire that “it bothers Kate that William and Harry are still estranged, so she’s taking matters into her own hands.

She feels their feud has gone on long enough and that it’s time for William and Harry to be brothers again. She believes there’s still time to repair the damage and has been quietly pushing for a truce.”With all the recent headlines about Harry wanting to return to the family while being half in and half out, and reports that Meghan is also willing to come back—as long as she gets the money, a castle, and Princess Catherine’s job—this makes me skeptical. Meghan seems to be trying to further the narrative that she and Harry are ready to mend fences, and somehow Princess Catherine is part of that story.

Let’s face it, this information doesn’t sound like it’s coming from the royal family. The royal family is notoriously secretive, especially regarding Catherine’s private life. So, is this really coming from Team Royal? No way! It feels like this is just another leak from Meghan’s camp.

Moving on from that little bombshell, the article claims that Catherine is eager to repair their relationship partly because of the kindness Harry showed her during her early days as a royal. Yes, that’s true, but let’s not forget the hurtful comments and actions that have taken place since then.

You only have to look at Omid Scobie’s book *Endgame*, where he reveals that Harry and Meghan allegedly labeled Catherine as a “royal racist” during that infamous Oprah interview.

If you consider all this, it’s clear that this story originates from Team Sussex. They’re the only ones pushing this narrative of reconciliation, while the royal family has made it clear they’re focused on the next generation, ignoring Meghan and Harry altogether.

The article further states that “Kate has never been someone that could just turn off her feelings with a switch, and going through cancer has only made her more sensitive and caring.”Apparently, she doesn’t blame Harry for taking Meghan’s side, which is a rather convenient perspective, considering Meghan’s part in this feud. If anyone is to blame, it’s not just Harry but Meghan as well for fueling the fire.

I’m left wondering: Has Meghan leaked another story about Princess Catherine, making it seem like Catherine is ready to reconcile? The timing of this article feels incredibly convenient, and it raises more questions than it answers.

King Charles was left feeling ‘crushed’ following an announcement from his son Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, a royal book claims. …

King Charles was left feeling ‘crushed’ following an announcement from his son Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, a royal book claims.

Harry and Meghan first met in July 2016 before going public with their relationship in November. At the time, the monarch, who was then the Prince of Wales, was preparing to meet the King of Bahrain during a delicate tour in the Persian Gulf sovereign state. According to Finding Freedom authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, who are thought to be close with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, his team had spent months organising the tour, hoping it would be “covered significantly” by the media.

 

But Charles was reportedly “crushed” when Harry and Meghan confirmed their relationship publicly while also launching an attack on the media, as he thought the announcement would dominate the news cycle, overshadowing his tour. The authors claimed Harry gave his father just 20 minutes’ notice before releasing a statement that confirmed his relationship with Meghan. 

The book reads: “It was a critical moment that had been in the works for months. A statement from Kensington Palace condemning the Press and, in the same breath, confirming Harry’s new girlfriend would all but eliminate coverage of Prince Charles’s tour of the Gulf.” Royal authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand claim: “The team at Clarence House, which had spent months putting together Prince Charles’ tour in the hopes that it would be covered significantly, was crushed.”

The book also says Harry was challenging anyone who “questioned his new relationship”, with the authors writing that the Duke of Sussex would wonder if people were judging them because of race or snobbery. Harry had allegedly cut ties with a friend for “gossiping about Meghan” and was “poised for an outright war” with the media.

However, the book insists Charles “understood that the situation with Meghan had reached a tipping point” despite being “disappointed” by the timing of his son’s statement. Relations between the King and his second son have fractured over the years following Harry’s decision to leave the Royal Family and his subsequent attacks on the monarchy.

 

He will be travelling to London in a matter of days to attend a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, attending a service of thanksgiving at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday, May 8, where he is expected to provide a reading. It remains to be seen whether or not he will see his father. The last time they saw each other was when Harry dashed back to the UK in February in the hours after the King’s cancer diagnosis was made public. But the pair spent just 45 minutes together on a whirlwind trip that saw Harry spend only 24 hours in his home country. 

Insiders have also ruled out a reunion between Harry and his older brother William, who is said to still feel ‘betrayed’ by Harry. Friends told The Daily Beast: “Both sides understand each other’s position clearly now. William and Catherine felt completely betrayed by Harry’s memoir. They don’t speak to Harry and Meghan, and they are certainly not about to start when Catherine is at her most vulnerable.”

The REAL reason why Meghan Markle is ‘hands on’ with Prince Harry: Duchess’s ‘double clutch’ is a ‘gesture of ownership’, body language expert says

Meghan Markle is never afraid to be tactile with her husband in public.

The Duchess of Sussex is regularly seen tightly grasping Prince Harry’s hand, or comforting him with a soft palm on his back.

Now, body language expert Judi James has revealed the deeper meaning behind the importance the couple seem to place on physical touch in public.

The Duchess uses various tactile methods to communicate with her husband and Ms James suggests this is because of their need to signal to one another.

There is the ‘double clutch’ that sees Meghan hold her husband with both hands and could be a ‘gesture of possession’, Ms James said.

And Meghan is also a fan of putting her hand on Harry’s knee, a ‘sensual’ move that Ms James said is another ‘signal of ownership’ and display of ‘physical attraction’.

Below, MailOnline reveals Ms James’ expert opinion on the couple’s most familiar tactile gestures.

The ‘double clutch’

The couple’s recent trip to Colombia isn’t the first time Meghan has clasped her husband’s arm and hand at the same time.

When she first performed the gesture during their engagement announcement in 2017, Judi said ‘it had and still has a multi-media message purpose’.

‘This extra clingy clutch shows a desire to keep Harry close,’ Ms James said.

‘In the early days it also allowed Meghan to create a self-protective “comfort barrier” with her arm held across her torso.

‘More recently though it looks like a gesture of possession or a boast of ownership, as in “He’s mine”.

‘It suggests he is her priority but it also allows for a small sensual ritual if her fingertips are touching his bare arm.’

The ‘possessive’ gesture was displayed at the ESPY Awards in July too, when the couple posed with former tennis player Serena Williams.

Holding Harry’s arm

When Harry takes the lead at events like the Invictus Games, Meghan seems to take a different approach to her physical contact with her husband.

She often will hold his arm, rather than his hands. Ms James said: ‘Meghan’s clutch on his bicep shows a “surrendered” approval of his manliness and strength’.

Though Meghan is letting her husband lead, the gentle touch still allows her to ‘remain part of the double act,’ Ms James added.

Harry founded the Invictus Games for wounded veterans and continues to be heavily involved.

Meghan has regularly joined her husband to the sporting events since her first public appearance with Harry in 2017, when they watched wheelchair tennis together.

The ‘hand sandwich’

Meghan uses both of her hands to hold one of Harry’s in another double clasp gesture.

Ms James says it is ‘the strongest form of hand linking’, giving them a ‘romantic couple’ appearance.

Ensuring they maintain how their relationship looks to the public could be important to the couple after they stepped down as working royals, and simple hand holding techniques play a part.

Ms James compared the situation to the former King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, who also left the UK after Edward abdicated from the throne.

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Meghan holds Harry’s hand in hers as they meet with NATO Joint Force Command and families from Italy and Netherlands during day five of the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany, September 2023

She said: ‘Like Edward and Wallis there is a tendency to define and re-define their ongoing closeness and devotion to keep letting everyone know this was not a mistake.’

The body language expert dubbed the gesture as the ‘hand sandwich’.

It previously featured during their engagement shoot, where Meghan looked up at her future husband while they both grinned.

Last year, she also clasped Harry’s hand with both of hers at an Invictus Games event in Germany, when the couple met with NATO Joint Force Command and families from Italy and Netherlands.

Hands on Harry’s knee

Meghan’s use of touch to communicate with her husband, aside from a desire for proximity, could also be a display of ‘physical attraction or a more maternal type of ownership,’ Ms James said.

The Duchess will sometimes place her hand on Harry’s thigh or knee when out together, including at the ESPY Awards Ceremony earlier this year.

The couple beamed as they sat together and Meghan, wearing a long white gown, put her hand on Harry’s knee in what could be seen as an ‘intimate or exclusive’ gesture.

Touching Harry’s knee or thigh ‘stamps’ the prince ‘with a signal of ownership,’ according to Ms James, while a hand on his leg or thigh ‘is a sensual move’.

It is something the Duchess has also used during Invictus Games events, including last year when they were riding in a buggy to watch the cycling in Dusseldorf, Germany.

In 2022, Meghan smiled as she placed a tender hand on her husband’s knee during an Invictus Games volleyball match while he chatted with her.

Hand on Harry’s back

Another possible maternal gesture displayed by Meghan is when she places her hand on Harry’s back.

This tactile communicative method was seen in 2018 on the Buckingham Palace balcony, after the recently-married couple had watched the RAF centenary flypast.

Both looked down while Meghan situated her hand on the centre of Harry’s back – something that Ms James said could be seen as a reassuring touch.

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Meghan smiles and places her hand on Harry’s back as he hugs one of the founders of the One Young World Summit in 2022

Since the couple moved to America in 2020, Meghan has used the gesture on several further occasions.

Ms James said: ‘It’s a steering gesture that suggests that once he was in the US she was acting in the role of host and even leader if she used it to introduce him to other people.’

The tactile signal was seen in 2022 when Meghan placed her hand on her husband’s back while he hugged one of the founders of the One Young World Summit.

Holding hands

Like many couples, Harry and Meghan also simply hold hands. But the way they position them could offer an insight into their dynamic too.

Harry’s hand often on top of his wife’s, and his arm is placed in front.

The couple have used this tactile technique for years and it was seen multiple times during their trip to Colombia more recently.

Ms James said the tactic is often used by celebrity couples.

Harry firmly placing his hand on the top in the clasp is a ‘dominant gesture’ that shows ‘a desire to be in the lead and to be seen as protective of her’.

The Duke of Sussex, who recently celebrated his 40th birthday, gave the passionate address to a packed room at Halo Trust’s anti-landmine event in New York.

The charity gained international prominence in 1997 after Princess Diana walked through an active minefield in Angola.

Harry was greeted by a rapturous round of applause as he took to the stage to deliver an eight minute speech in which spoke of the charity’s work in Angola meaning a ‘great deal’ to his late mother.

Looking solemn faced, he said: ‘Carrying on her legacy is a responsibility that I take incredibly seriously.

‘And I think we all know how much she would want us to finish this particular job. We are all here because we are a band of true believers, fighting for a mine free world.’

Harry’s solo itinerary

Monday, September 23 

AM: Harry appears on a panel discussing: The global mental health crisis among young people at the Concordia summit for The Diana Award.

PM: He will appear on stage for an event promoting the work of the Halo Trust, the charity for which his late mother loved, famously walking through an Angolan minefield in 1997.

Tuesday, September 24

The Duke of Sussex is expected to attend the ‘Protectors of African Parks” benefit gala

Wednesday, September 25 to Friday September 27

Harry will attend a number of other events in relation to the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week and Climate Week.

Monday, September 30

Harry will be in London for the WellChild Awards

 

Wearing a navy suit with a Halo Trust pin on his lapel, he recalled following in his mother’s footsteps in 2019 when he visited Angola, 22 years after Diana had walked through minefields in the African country.

Harry spoke of the many changes that he had gone through since his visit five years ago, including becoming a father for the second time with the birth of daughter Lilibet in 2021.

And he said although you don’t need to have children to have a ‘stake in the future of our planet’, the Duke said his mother would have been ‘horrified’ to know that anyone’s children or grandchildren live in a world still ‘infested with mines’.

In an apparent nod to Diana he issued a rallying cry to ‘finish the job’ as he said: ‘Tomorrow let’s wake up and get back to work, let’s renew our commitments and let’s finish the job for all our sakes.

‘So we too can look back in awe and relief and so those who started this recovery and regeneration many years ago can rest knowing we really did finish the job.’

Earlier today, Harry appeared on stage in New York to discuss mental health and climate change with two young winners of a legacy award given in Princess Diana’s memory.

The Duke said his late mother would be ‘proud’ of them as he took part in the 14th Concordia Annual Summit in support of The Diana Award on his eight-day solo trip to the East Coast and the UK.

Harry, who cracked his knuckles and looked nervous as he sat down on stage, spoke of the importance of mental wellness at an event where participants talked about their climate anxiety.

He personally interviewed Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang from Indonesia and Christina Williams from Jamaica, who received The Legacy Award in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, joking: ‘For some reason I’ve been given the microphone to ask the questions’.

He told them: ‘I applaud you for having the confidence to be on this stage. I know my mother would be incredibly proud of you guys. Your activism is true to how my mother lived her life’.

Harry, wearing a navy suit and tie with a Diana Award pin on his lapel, asked: ‘Do you feel like leaders and people in positions of power are listening to you?’, adding that he wanted the The Diana Award to help their campaigning to tackle climate change and bring influence around the world.

And when asked what gives him hope for the future he said: ‘I have said it before years ago and I’ll say it again. The younger generation is what gives me hope. The courage you have gives me hope. Everyone of us needs courage to move the dial in this world, probably more than ever. We need to listen and act on what you say because it is your future that will be stolen and that is unacceptable’.

His decision to jet off alone to New York to meet royals and celebrities before a solo trip to Britain shows he is determined to ‘carve out’ new opportunities and ‘assert himself’ after turning 40, experts told MailOnline today.

The Duke is away from Montecito for the next eight days and went to a California benefit organised by Kevin Costner on Saturday, without his American wife.

Harry has always made an effort to continue his mother’s ‘unfinished’ work, revealing in 2022 that he felt ‘obligated’ to live out her legacy ‘as much as possible’.

In a podcast interview, Harry told former rugby player Gareth Thomas: ‘I think once you get to meet people and you see the suffering around the world, you can’t turn, I certainly can’t turn, my back on that.

‘Then add in the fact that my mum’s work was unfinished, I feel obligated to try and continue that as much as possible.’

He added: ‘I could never fill her shoes, especially in this particular space because of what she did and what she stood for and how vocal she was about this issue.’

Harry’s attendance had sparked speculation that he may be in the city at the same time as his brother Prince William who is thought to attending the third annual Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit at The Plaza Hotel on September 24.

It’s unknown if he will attend for sure, but he was present last year at the same event.

If Prince William does come to New York when Harry is there, it’s likely the brothers will steer clear from one another, as a source told The Sunday Times in August that the siblings hadn’t spoken in ‘two years.’

It was said that the last time they talked was at their grandmother Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in September 2022.

The insider described the ‘estrangement’ as ‘dreadfully sad,’ adding that Prince William doesn’t even want Harry at his coronation when the time comes.