A body language expert has dissected a charged interaction between the Princess of Wales and Meghan Markle, who historically have a tense relationship, highlighting what appeared to be Prince William’s protective stance toward his wife.
The tension-filled moment occurred in 2018, two years prior to Prince Harry and Meghan’s decision to step down from their Royal roles and relocate to the United States.
Despite often being dubbed the Fab Four and maintaining a facade of unity, an awkward exchange at Westminster Abbey seemed to expose underlying strains among the senior royals long before the Sussexes’ exit from Royal life. It comes after Meghan was ‘issued a key warning’ amid speculation she could make millions in a week.
The event unfolded in July 2018 during a commemoration led by the late Queen to celebrate the centenary of the Royal Air Force.
The ceremony at Westminster Abbey was attended by over 2,200 individuals, including senior royals who later engaged with veterans, service members, charity workers, and civil servants, before returning to Buckingham Palace for a flypast of 100 aircraft.
As Kate and Meghan took their places in the Abbey to greet the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, William stepped in between them. Body language expert Judi James described the Prince of Wales as acting like a “human shield” in that moment.
Persistent rumors suggest that the relationship between Kate and Meghan was increasingly strained even before Harry and Meghan decided to leave the Royal family for a new life abroad. This tension, according to James, is seemingly evident in this awkward moment.
Speaking to The Mail, James said, “Superficially, and with the benefit of hindsight, now that we know about the tricky relationship between Meghan and Kate, this looks very much like a devoted and protective husband strategically and very pointedly stepping between his wife and her nemesis in the form of a human shield.”
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She continued, “William’s body language shows he is clearly aware that Harry and Meghan have honed into position behind him and he immediately ducks his head to move to stand next to his wife, even sucking his lips inward in what is often a signal of regret.”
While the body language expert shared her insights on the potentially uncomfortable situation, she also offered another perspective, suggesting that William’s positioning could have been an attempt to make Meghan feel more welcome within the Firm.
Judi explained, “There is a spatial gap between William and Meghan that doesn’t really show at this angle. When the royals greet their hosts at services like this, there is something of a royal queue with gaps that can turn into a log jam if a royal keeps chatting, as Kate often can.”
Judi noted, “Meghan was new to the royal Firm and William’s body language to this point had shown him being friendly and welcoming. This movement and change of position could be the kind of adjustment you make to the position of a group at a party when someone new comes to join in.
She went on to add, “It is rude to keep your back to the newcomer as it is a sign of rejection. So, we often shuffle to ensure we encompass the new arrival. Meghan would not have been allowed to join William and Kate here as the pecking order is firm, but it would be completely conceivable for a very polite William to move in to place to ensure his back is not turned against her as she arrived behind him.”
Judi concluded, “It is conceivable that William was trying to be polite to Meghan here, although it is also equally conceivable that he might turn himself into something of a buffer between the two women as he did so if he was aware of any friction.”