Meghan’s Public Displays of Touch Toward Harry Reflect ‘A Desire to Keep Him Close’ — Insights from a Body Language Expert
Over the years, the affectionate moments between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been captured countless times on camera. Recently, a body language expert delved into the significance of their public displays of affection.
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Meghan Markle’s bond with her husband Prince Harry has been evident during their public appearances. In addition to social media users sharing their eye-brow-raising thoughts on these moments, a body language expert has shed light on the deeper meaning behind these public displays of affection.
Photo of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on November 27, 2017, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
From the beginning, the royal couple faced skepticism regarding their relationship. In his memoir, “Spare,” Prince Harry recounted the moment he introduced Markle to his family in 2016.
He shared that his father, King Charles III, initially liked her, but his brother, Prince William, was more reserved, and reportedly referred to Markle as “an American actress.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their tour at the Terrence Higgins Trust World AIDS Day charity fair on December 1, 2017, in Nottingham, England. | Source: Getty Images
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Although the Duke of Sussex didn’t name specific individuals, he suggested that other royal family members were also uncomfortable.
In a January 2023 interview, Prince Harry reflected on his wife’s early unfavorable encounters with his family, saying, “Right from the beginning, before they even had a chance to get to know her. And the U.K. press jumped on that. And here we are.”
Prince Harry during the Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games 2023 on September 9, 2023, in Dusseldorf, Germany. | Source: Getty Images
Asked if that was because of mistrust, the royal explained, “The fact that she was American, an actress, divorced, Black, biracial with a Black mother. Those were just four of the typical stereotypes that is– becomes a feeding frenzy for the British press.”
Despite the initial negative reception, Prince Harry didn’t let it stop him from moving forward with his relationship with Markle. He proposed in 2017, and the two exchanged vows in May 2018. The following year, in May 2019, they welcomed their first child, son Prince Archie.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave from the Ascot Landau Carriage on May 19, 2018, in Windsor, England. | Source: Getty Images
A year later, in January 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made headlines when they revealed their intention to step down from their roles as “senior” members of the royal family and focus on becoming financially independent.
“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” the statement read.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry during their visit to Canada House on January 7, 2020, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
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They also shared their plans to split their time between the UK and North America. Notably, it was reported that neither Queen Elizabeth II nor Prince William had been consulted before the announcement, leading to disappointment within Buckingham Palace. Senior royals were said to feel “hurt” by the couple’s decision.
The pair later welcomed their second child, daughter Princess Lilibet, in June 2021. Since stepping away, Prince Harry and Markle’s relationship has faced increased scrutiny from both the media and the public. The Duchess, in particular, became noticeably absent from public life in England.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle speak during the 2021 Global Citizen Live festival on September 25, 2021, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Markle accompanied Prince Harry to the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 but has since not returned to his homeland, even opting to miss King Charles III’s coronation.
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In recent months, Prince Harry and Markle’s separate public appearances have sparked curiosity among royal watchers, fueling speculation about their relationship. Harry took solo trips to New York and the UK in September 2024, even attending a high-profile charity event without Markle by his side.
Prince Harry attends the Wellchild Awards 2024, on September 30, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
December, 4 brought more intrigue when Markle made a dazzling appearance at the 2024 Paley Honors Fall Gala in Beverly Hills. She attended the event to support her close friend Tyler Perry, who was being honored by The Paley Center for Media.
The two shared a warm embrace on the red carpet, reflecting years of friendship. Perry, the godfather of their daughter Princess Lilibet, famously opened his Los Angeles home to the couple in 2020 when they transitioned from royal life.
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Meghan Markle and Tyler Perry attend The Paley Center for Media hosts Paley Honors Fall Gala honoring Tyler Perry on December 04, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
While Markle mingled in Beverly Hills, Harry was across the country in New York City, participating in The New York Times’ DealBook Summit. During the event, he couldn’t escape questions about the persistent rumors swirling around his marriage.
With characteristic wit, he quipped, “Apparently, we’ve bought or moved house 10, 12 times. We’ve apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times as well. So it’s just like, ‘What?'”
Prince Harry speaks onstage during The New York Times Dealbook Summit on December 04, 2024, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
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However, the chatter intensified in October when Markle attended a Girls Inc. event in Santa Barbara, exuding effortless style in a chambray shirt and white trousers. Eagle-eyed fans quickly noticed something missing—her iconic engagement ring.
Designed by Harry himself, the £150,000 sparkler features a Botswana-sourced diamond, symbolizing where he first realized he wanted to marry her.
Meghan Markle, visits Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara on October 02, 2024, in Santa Barbara, California. | Source: Getty Images
Its absence raised questions, especially as the couple had been apart for weeks due to Harry’s charity work in New York, the UK, and Africa. Markle soon put the rumors to rest after she was later seen wearing the ring again at a children’s hospital gala.
Meghan Markle attends the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala on October 05, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
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Behind these high-profile moments, royal biographer Phil Dampier suggests that Harry, now 40, appears to be searching for renewed purpose, driven by a deep desire to create meaningful change through his charitable pursuits.
Prince Harry attends the Wellchild Awards 2024 on September 30, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
“Harry sometimes feels like a spare part and he often looks unhappy when he’s out with Meghan at events in California,” said the author. While Markle prefers to stay in California, her spouse appears to be embracing more independent ventures.
While Prince Harry’s solo appearances have drawn attention and sparked conversations, his public interactions with Markle have not gone unnoticed. Their dynamic continues to be a point of interest.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry during The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Colombia Visit on August 17, 2024, in Cartagena, Colombia. | Source: Getty Images
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The Duchess is often seen showing affection toward the Duke in public, whether holding his hand or gently placing a hand on his back. According to body language expert Judi James, this frequent physical touch carries deeper significance for the couple.
Markle uses various forms of touch to communicate with Prince Harry, often signaling their connection. James explained that the royal’s “double clutch,” where she holds her partner with both hands, could be a “gesture of possession.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend a photocall in the Sunken Gardens on November 27, 2017, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Notably, Markle’s tendency to clasp her husband’s arm and hand is not new. She first displayed this gesture during their engagement announcement in 2017.
James said this “clingy clutch” initially signaled “a desire to keep him close,” but more recently, it has taken on a “gesture of possession,” as if to say, “He’s mine.”
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend a photocall in the Sunken Gardens on November 27, 2017, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The gesture emphasizes that the Duke of Sussex is her priority while allowing for a subtle, sensual touch if her fingers meet his bare arm. This possessive display was also seen at the ESPY Awards in July 2024 when the couple posed with Serena Williams.
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and Serena Williams attend the 2024 ESPY Awards on July 11, 2024, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
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Another common gesture is her hand on his knee, which James described as a “sensual” display of physical attraction and a “signal of ownership.”
Markle’s frequent touch, beyond simply seeking closeness, may also be a sign of “a more maternal form of ownership,” James claimed. The Duchess is often seen placing her hand on Prince Harry’s thigh or knee, as she did at the ESPY Awards.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend the 2024 ESPY Awards on July 11, 2024, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
During the event, where the couple smiled warmly, Markle, dressed in a white gown, rested her hand on her husband’s knee in what could be interpreted as an “intimate or exclusive” gesture. James noted that touching his knee or thigh “stamps” the prince with a sense of ownership, and the move is undeniably sensual.
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Meghan Markle and and Prince Harry during The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Colombia Visit on August 15, 2024, in Bogota, Colombia. | Source: Getty Images
In addition, Markle frequently opts to hold Prince Harry’s arm instead of his hand. James noted this bicep grip symbolizes her “surrendered” admiration of his strength and masculinity. While allowing him to take the lead, the subtle touch keeps her involved as part of their “double act,” maintaining their close connection.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend Christmas Day Church service on December 25, 2017, in King’s Lynn, England. | Source: Getty Images
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Moreover, the actress often uses both hands to hold one of Prince Harry’s in what James termed a “double clasp” gesture. She explained that this is the “strongest form of hand linking,” which enhances their image as a “romantic couple.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend the Invictus Games One Year To Go Event on February 15, 2024, in Whistler, Canada. | Source: Getty Images
