Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were all smiling as they left a New York ballroom last night after their first public appearance together since the coronation.
And a body language expert claimed Meghan spoke in a “dreamier tone than usual” and “directed her audience” during her speech in Manhattan.
Judi James said the Duchess of Sussex was “dressed and styled in goddess fashion” and used “open gestures and a lilting voice” as she accepted a feminist award.
The expert added that Meghan made a “powerful” reference to her mother Doria Ragland, who was in the audience at the Ziegfeld Ballroom last night, saying her left hand worked in a “vertical slashing gesture to show pride and a desire to defend to suggest.
She also said that 41-year-old Meghan used “verbal mirroring to create empathy with her audience” as she talked about being a young girl and “taking on that voice.”
And Ms James referred to how Meghan had a “calm fluidity of her speech and movements” at the gala event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Ms Foundation for Women.
The Duke and Duchess smiled last night as they left New York’s Ziegfeld Ballroom
Prince Harry and Meghan smiled as they left New York’s Ziegfeld Ballroom last night
The couple are leaving after the 50th anniversary gala of the Ms Foundation for Women in New York
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex left the ballroom in Manhattan last night
Prince Harry and Meghan smiled as they left New York’s Ziegfeld Ballroom last night
The Duchess received the Women of Vision Award from the Ms Foundation, which recognizes her “global advocacy to empower and advocate for women and girls.”
She wore a strapless gold midi dress with scalloped pattern details, and her acceptance speech concluded the gala saying, “It’s never too late to start.” You can be the visionary of your own life… There is still so much work to be done.”
Analyzing videos of her speech posted online, Ms James said: “Dressed and styled in Goddess fashion, with her gold sheath dress and her hair pulled to one side, Meghan seems to begin this speech like a guru, speaking in a softer, almost dreamy language. show normal then, regularly turning to her iconic hosts behind her and gesturing with one hand in what appears to be a gesture of respect.
She folds her hands over her underbust and there is a calm fluency to her speech and movements as she looks behind her again.
Meghan picks up her pace for a change of emphasis, adding more tone and energy as she addresses the audience directly.
“Her eye contact with them works on a rotation, and her left hand seems to be directing her words with a fluid flick of the wrist, as if she’s also directing her audience as she conveys her life’s messages.”
Meghan also spoke about her love of eating her dinner from a TV magazine for the quiz show Jeopardy! in her younger years – something she mentioned on her Archetypes podcast last November.
Commenting on this, Ms James said: “Meghan touches her hair in a self-deprecating gesture as she begins to use verbal mirroring to create empathy with her audience, speaking about her time as a young girl and even taking over that voice, as if she were once again . – the experiencing.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Ms Foundation Women of Vision Awards last night
The Sussexes were joined by Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, for the event last night
“She bounces on her heels and uses open gestures and a lilting voice.”
Meghan also paid tribute to her mother Ms Ragland when she spoke about copies of the feminist magazine Ms that were on the coffee table at their home.
The Duchess said: ‘I was too young then to know what it meant most. But I also knew to my mother, my dear mother, I am honored that you are here tonight, I knew the meaning of these magazines was important. It wasn’t a one-off, she had a subscription.’
Commenting on the moment, Ms James said: ‘There is a powerful link here with Meghan’s family. When she talks about diversity in magazines, she refers very dramatically to her mother in the audience. She refers to “My mother, my dear mother, whom I have with me tonight”.
“This isn’t just a passing reference, because she stops her speech to praise Doria. Her left hand works in a vertical chopping gesture to suggest pride and a desire to defend, while her right hand is extended to where Doria sits.’
Ms James added: “Meghan smiles sweetly and tilts her head, plus a pause and the right hand becomes a sign for the audience to applaud.”
Meghan, 41, also posed for a solo shot before entering the awards ceremony
Meghan arrives last night in a $1,850 strapless gold gown with scalloped pattern detailing
Meghan received the award from feminist activist Gloria Steinem (pictured together)
Meghan received the award from renowned feminist activist Gloria Steinem.
Her acceptance speech concluded the gala where she said, “It’s never too late to start. You can be the visionary of your own life… There is still so much work to be done.
Yesterday’s event is the first public event Harry and Meghan have attended together since the Duke went solo to the King’s coronation earlier this month.
Meghan had chosen to stay at their American home in Montecito, California with their two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Last year, the couple received the NAACP President’s Award and the Robert F Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award, in a ceremony also held in New York.