A re-examination of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 2017 engagement interview has reignited debate over the power dynamics that defined the couple's early public appearances, with body-language experts now arguing that the footage reveals patterns of control that foreshadowed later conflict with the royal family. The reassessment comes as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex approach the tenth anniversary of their first meeting in July 2016, prompting renewed scrutiny of moments once celebrated as symbols of a modern royal romance.
The 90-minute interview, broadcast from Kensington Palace in November 2017 and conducted by BBC journalist Mishal Husain, was initially received as a relaxed and affectionate introduction of the couple to the public. At the time, it was widely praised for its warmth and informality, reinforcing the narrative of a love match that would help modernize the monarchy.
Body-language analysts now say that impression masks a more complex interaction. One expert who reviewed the footage focused on physical contact and spatial positioning, noting that Meghan repeatedly used touch and eye contact to guide Prince Harry's responses. The analyst observed that Harry appeared "slightly slumped and relatively passive," while Meghan maintained an upright posture and confident facial engagement, which the expert said allowed her to "physically dominate the space between them."
During the discussion of Harry's proposal, the Duke said: "It happened a few weeks ago, earlier this month, here at our cottage - just a standard typical night for us." As he spoke, Meghan placed her hand on his, a gesture the analyst described as a deliberate cue. The expert said that by "drawing his hand onto her lap and intertwining their fingers," Meghan created "a physical connection that is difficult to break," which the analyst interpreted as limiting Harry's ability to move or disengage.
The dynamic resurfaced when Husain asked whether Meghan had accepted the proposal immediately. Meghan answered without deferring to Harry, saying: "Yes! As a matter of fact, I could barely let you finish proposing!" She later added: "It was just so sweet and natural and very romantic." Analysts pointed to the speed of her interjection and accompanying elbow movements as evidence of her directing the pace and tone of the exchange.
A similar pattern emerged when the couple discussed how they met. As Harry began to explain their first encounter, Meghan interjected to stress their desire for privacy. Observers noted that her smile briefly faded as she used subtle leg movements and fingertip gestures, which the analyst said signaled caution. The couple also appeared to contradict one another, with Meghan describing their introduction as a blind date while Harry suggested they had connected through Instagram.
A royal commentator said palace insiders later viewed the interview differently. One palace source described rewatching the footage as "cringeworthy" and said some of Harry's answers appeared "insincere." The source added: "What once read as intimacy is now reassessed as choreography."
That reassessment has fed into broader criticism of the Sussexes' departure from royal duties and their subsequent media projects. Critics argue the signs of discord were present from the outset, contending that Meghan was "going to use Harry as a puppet to get exactly what she wanted: ultimate control over him, a royal title for herself, and a celebrity life once she'd manipulated him away from his family."
