Prince Harry is ‘stabilising presence’ as he ‘places hand on Meghan’ throughout fake Royal tour
EXCLUSIVE: The eyes of the world have been on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s controversial tour of Australia, as have the eyes of body language expert Inbaal Honigman
He’s taken a leading role
Prince Harry has been dubbed the “stabilising presence” after he was seen “putting his hand on Meghan” during their controversial four-day visit to Australia. The trip, which has been branded a “faux royal tour ” by critics and royal experts, has drawn intense scrutiny for its resemblance to official state visits.
Body language expert Inbaal Honigman, speaking to the Daily Star for Casino.ca, noted a significant shift in the couple’s physical dynamic during their arrival in Melbourne. Honigman observed that “Harry appears to act as a stabilising presence in the relationship”.
She said: “As Meghan steps out of the car, she briefly throws her hands outward, suggesting a momentary loss of balance. Harry immediately reaches toward her; his stance is grounded, with both feet firmly planted and his posture strong and confident.”
The analysis suggests that the Duke of Sussex is adopting a more protective and authoritative role as the couple navigates the mixed reception to their unofficial tour. Honigman highlighted specific gestures of leadership, stating, “He extends his hand with the palm facing downwards, a gesture often associated with control.”
She further remarked that “his positioning suggests readiness to cover her hand with his, reinforcing the impression of him as the more dominant partner in that moment.” This display of support continued throughout their public walkabouts, where “Harry’s hand placed over Meghan’s as they walk further reinforces the impression of him taking the lead.”
The “faux royal” nature of the visit has sparked debate among commentators who claim the couple is “positioning themselves as heirs” to the monarchy’s legacy despite stepping back from official duties in 2020.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams noted that the itinerary—which included visits to the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Australian War Memorial—seemed designed to mirror the traditional royal playbook. While the Sussexes maintain the trip is privately funded and focused on their philanthropic work, critics argue the carefully choreographed appearances are a strategic attempt to maintain “royal relevance” and bolster their global brand.
Inbaal also analysed Meghan’s comments last week about being “trolled and bullied,” and said: “”When Meghan explains how badly she was trolled, there are some inconsistencies in her body language that could be interpreted as insincerity. Her shoulders are rolled forward, which suggests she is making herself appear smaller, perhaps to seem more vulnerable and relatable.”
“Her eyebrows are raised into a triangular shape, an expression often associated with empathy, while her furrowed brow conveys concern. Together, these cues signal to the audience that she is sharing something upsetting.”
“The inconsistency lies in her eye behaviour. She maintains strong eye contact with her listeners, as though checking whether they are engaged, relating to her, and accepting her account. This, coupled with a slight smile, suggests she is not only recounting her experience, but also seeking a particular response. Meghan appears to be honest, but with a clear intention of eliciting sympathy and support.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
