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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

Prince Harry appeared 'subdued' and 'dour' without Meghan at his side, says expert

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appeared to delight fans in Germany with an appearance in Dusseldorf.

The pair conducted a walkabout, greeting fans and posing for selfies, after a Town Hall reception for the Invictus Games, which is being held in the city next year. They then took a boat ride on the Rhine before Harry made a solo appearance at a press conference to promote Invictus, where he gave a speech. And according to body language expert Judi James, there were "two visible body language states" on show from Harry yesterday - and during his solo appearance, he appeared to be subdued and even dour looking.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arriving in Dusseldorf (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

She told the Mirror: "Working the crowds and posing for selfies, Harry appears to relax and to use flashes of his old humour in his delivery.

"Rituals like this must trigger his days as a royal prince back in the UK and he seems to have a form of muscle memory when it comes to banter and making people laugh.

"He also began one speech at the Town Hall with some words in German and gently worked the audience like the old days, too.

Prince Harry at an Invictus Games press conference yesterday (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
Harry during his speech at an Invictus Games press conference (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

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"But then he seems to fall into a more anxious and even dour-looking version of himself, which is the one we get to see in these photos and clips of the speech."

And according to Judi, the speech and his body language delivering it, "contained none of his usual bouncing enthusiasm and energy".

Harry was launching the 2023 Invictus Games, which are taking place in Dusseldorf (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
Harry and Meghan together greeting the crowds (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

She explained: "His body language is subdued and his techniques are way below his normal range. He seems to cling to his notes for security, even running his thumb down them as though trying to keep his place.

"The speech is 'personality-free', with a greeting that is not aimed at the audience followed by him reading heavily, keeping his eyes down and only sporadically looking up with what looks like a wary and unsmiling facial expression.

"The tightness of his lips and the rather glaring eye stare makes him look angry.

"Sitting watching he places his hand over his lips in a cut-off ritual that suggests some anxiety and that suggestion of anxiety does seem reflected in his focus on and fiddling with his notes.

"Harry did seem more at ease with Meghan at his side. Her presence looks increasingly supportive and encouraging and together they seem to replicate their royal roles in a way that brings some of the 'fun' Harry back."

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