A body language expert noted that Prince Harry, who was attending a charity event solo because Meghan Markle was sick, was totally at ease and in good spirits.
At Kevin Costner's spectacular Santa Barbara One805Live! gala honoring first responders, the royal family was the center of attention. As he mixed with A-listers and gave an award to another aviator at the banquet, Prince Harry looked dashing.
Many were hoping that Meghan would accompany Prince Harry to this year's event, as the Duke and Duchess had already attended. But she was reportedly sick, so Prince Harry was on his own during the celebrations.
According to Judi James, an expert in reading nonverbal signs, even when Harry was alone, he didn't fit in; in fact, the reverse was true.
"Harry's body language here suggests that he is totally in his element and delighted to be soaking up or even surfing the on-stage adulation from the A-list audience like a star of the show," Judi told The Mirror.
"His open jacket; his gleefully beaming smile at the audience, and that cheeky, knowing, thumbs-up gesture all suggest he is in full show-boating mode here, like some of his 'rock star' style appearances on stage when he first arrived in the US,” she added, delving into Prince Harry’s demeanor.
"While the two award recipients stand together looking tentative, Harry is in full splay mode, stretching an arm out to grab one man on the shoulder in a very informal display of recognition. His hand mic, that signal of who is in charge, is held high to his face, which is turned upward and away, with his head tilted and his chest puffed to suggest a moment of complete confidence during this solo outing,” Judi went on.
"In 2023, Harry and Meghan were seen at this event in a series of awkward-looking poses from Harry and a tricky microphone moment from Meghan, but this year his status and level of involvement looks clearer and his mic management far more adept,” the body language expert furthered.
Just hours before Prince Harry flew to New York for his run-in with royalty last night, he made an appearance at the Oscars. Meghan was conspicuously absent once again. Prince Harry is traveling solo to New York City for a series of high-profile engagements that coincide with the UN General Assembly, where he is scheduled to deliver speeches.
After getting to the city, Prince Harry attended a dinner last night that was put on by the World Health Organization. The Duke of Sussex was seen mingling with notable figures at the ceremony honoring survivors of childhood violence, including Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Hollywood actor Forest Whitaker.
Business Times has reached out to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry for comments.
