Prince Harry showed a small desire to protect himself behind the outward signals of confidence and enthusiasm at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games, a body language expert has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex, who landed in Britain last week for his first visit to the country in three months, was greeted by an excited crowd of royal fans as he arrived at the ceremony at Dusseldorf Town Hall.
Speaking to FEMAIL about the 38-year-old’s body language as he entered the venue, expert Judi James suggested he was showing mixed signals.
Prince Harry was photographed by a tourist as he visited Windsor Chapel on September 8, the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death.
He is not believed to have seen his father King Charles or brother Prince William as he paid tribute to his late grandmother before catching a British Airways flight to Dusseldorf.
Prince Harry (pictured arriving at the launch of the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf) showed a small desire to protect himself, says a body language expert
Body language expert Judi James said Harry (pictured) keeping his hand on his blazer button ‘plays a minor role as a barrier gesture’
Comparing his performance at the Games to his performance in Windsor, Judi told FEMAIL: ‘After his informal jacket-and-tie appearance at the Windsor Chapel the day before, Harry arrives in Germany looking immaculate and formally dressed. reinforcing the impression of formality by buttoning the top button of his jacket and keeping his hand on the button to emphasize the point.’
She added that the gesture “but also plays a minor role as a barrier gesture.”
Judi explained that royals “are not allowed to cross their arms or use overt self-protective barrier rituals.”
Explaining the barrier gestures other royals use, she added: “Charles will play with his cuffs and the late Queen would touch the handle of her handbag in an attempt to form even a partial barrier under pressure.”
Judi continued: ‘Harry’s truncated barrier gesture is this touching of the buttons of the jacket, which suggests a small desire for self-protection behind the outward signals of confidence and enthusiasm.’
The body language expert added that Prince Harry showed a desire to be among the service people again.
She said: ‘His posture looks otherwise military, with his chest spread and his arms held away from his torso, showing a desire to be back with the people he has genuine empathy with.’
More than 500 people stood behind the barriers in bright sunshine hoping the Prince would take a stroll and greet them as he arrived at the event, shouting his name as he walked past.
Prince Harry (photo, left) walks into the reception with Stephen Keller, Mayor of Düsseldorf (photo, right)
As Harry (pictured) waved to the gathered crowd, he kept his hand on the button of his blazer in what Judi James described as a barrier gesture
The body language expert also commented on the royal family’s (photo) posture, saying it appeared ‘military’.
However, there were some opponents: a small group of demonstrators shouted anti-military slogans. But as soon as Harry’s car entered the market square in front of the town hall, they were drowned out by cheers from his fans.
More than 500 participants from 21 countries take part in the games sponsored by the American company Boeing.
Organizers predict that up to 100,000 people will attend the games, which will conclude with a speech from Prince Harry and a six-song set from singer Rita Ora.
Teams from all over the world all arrived in Dusseldorf and were met at the airport by the Games’ mascot, a brown bear named Buddy.
The British team, friends and family flew from Birmingham on an RAF transport plane. Among the 59 members, 15 are still serving in the military, while the others are retired.