Queen's funeral: Prince Harry puffs his cheeks after service
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Body language expert and connection specialist Katia Loisel commented that Prince Harry and Meghan Meghan held a more formal distance “avoiding eye contact and touch throughout much of the formalities” during their time in the UK for the Queen’s funeral “in a sign of respect and reflective of the seriousness of the occasion”.
The pair briefly touched hands on a few occasions during their visit, “non-verbally seeking one another out, their torsos and head tilted inwards in an attempt to provide and receive comfort and reassurance,” the expert explained.
The body language expert suggested, however, that despite the controversy “it’s important to see these non-verbal behaviours for what they are”.
They “are not as a sign of disrespect, but two people reaching out for help and finding solace in one another during what is an incredibly difficult time”.
Katia explained: “Whilst many have been critical of Prince Harry and Meghan, deeming their mutual displays of affection, comfort and reassurance inappropriate, this reaching out is very much in line with the tactile and affectionate couple that they are and Prince Harry’s work as a passionate ambassador for mental health”.
She commented: “In a time when mental health and reaching out during difficult times is at the top of the agenda, it’s important to remember that emotions are complex.
“We experience and express emotions differently. Some withdraw, others have the extremely difficult task of maintaining their composure and a formal presence due to their rank.”
The expert explained others reach out, both seeking and giving comfort and reassurance in “a mutual display of shared grief”.
During the service, and in an expression adopted by a number of royals, Meghan sat “very still, her gaze fixed and looking straight ahead or downcast towards the floor”.
The expert explained this understated body language “may be a sign of respect and reflect a desire to draw attention away from oneself and back onto the late Queen Elizabeth”.
The expert claimed, however, that once the service had concluded “we saw a marked non-verbal shift in Prince Harry and Meghan”.
“As Prince Harry and Meghan prepared to enter their car, we see a moment of connection between the pair, Prince Harry gently touching the small of Meghan’s back in a reassuring gesture.
“Entering the vehicle behind Meghan, Prince Harry puffed his cheeks before blowing outwards, in a pacifying behaviour used to release stress, the exhale providing a cathartic release perhaps from the very difficult task of maintaining their composure.”
The body language expert added that the expression of sadness serves a purpose and is a non-verbal signalling system “that lets those around us know that we’re not okay”.
“Reaching out and providing comfort or seeking solace and reassurance in others during times of intense grief or sadness is a very human reaction,” she pointed out.
During the service, and in a moment of quiet reflection, Prince Harry and Meghan were seen with “their heads tilted, shoulders slumped forwards, their eyes and head downcast, mouths slightly downturned, both using self-protective gestures”.
“Harry’s hand resting on his torso, Meghan’s hands clasped in front forming a non-verbal protective barrier, suggesting sadness, a level of discomfort and a need for reassurance,” the expert suggested.
As an affectionate and tactile couple, “it was interesting to note the lack of affection and mutual touch between Prince Harry and Meghan”.
Katia commented: “Whilst we see some postural echoing between the pair on a couple of occasions, their bodies orientated towards one another.
“For the most part, they appeared to avoid contact tie signs such as their signature handholds in favour of a more formal distance, perhaps as a show of respect or in response to recent criticism.”
Meghan and Harry left the UK after Queen Elizabeth’s funeral and the couple are currently back in their California home with their children Archie and Lili.
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