Prince Harry is ‘very different when he is without Meghan’ because he ‘longs for company’ and ‘needs someone to bounce back from’, a body language expert has revealed.
The Duke of Sussex, 38, appeared at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today as he watched from the stands of the Merkur Spiel-Arena.
Photos show the royal looking solemn and serious when alone, but quickly brightening up and smiling when talking to his friends and members of the public.
“The main message from Harry’s body language in these photos is how much he seems to want and need company,” Judi James, body language expert, told FEMAIL.
“The contrast between his more solitary poses when watching the sport and how much he comes alive when he has someone to talk and laugh with is acute,” she added.
Prince Harry is ‘very different when he is without Meghan’ because he ‘longs for company’ and ‘needs someone to bounce back from’, a body language expert has revealed. Photos show the royal looking solemn and serious when alone, but quickly brightening up and smiling when talking to his friends and members of the public
The Duke of Sussex, 38, appeared at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today as he watched from the stands of the Merkur Spiel-Aren
As competitors took part in a 200m race, the Duke of Sussex could be seen putting his hands over his mouth and cheering along with the crowd.
Harry sat next to Yulia Laputina, Ukraine’s Minister of Veterans Affairs, who wore a green military uniform and draped a Ukrainian flag over her shoulders in a show of patriotism.
The Duke was due to spend an hour at the event and will later attend the wheelchair rugby final, which is often one of his favorites to watch.
Judi added: “When he watches the sport, his mouth is pursed, clenched and wrinkled and his eyes are slightly squinted as his hands are held up in a polite clap signal.
‘His appearance here makes him appear isolated, with his arms close to his body and a very upright posture.
‘However, the moment he has other people to bounce off in terms of body language, he becomes very naturally animated and playful, like the Harry of old, leaning forward to grin or exhibit a wince of mock pain with the boys in front or leaning to whisper in the ear of the woman sitting next to him.
‘Royal life and then married life have probably meant that Harry has always had someone or a few people next to him to respond to and bounce back from, most recently Meghan.
‘Just Harry is a very different state for him and at these times he can tend to look unusually isolated, even in a crowd.’
Harry is ‘very different’ when he claims to be a body language expert without Meghan (pictured together).
Harry became much more animated when talking to a crowd, a body language expert claims
Harry has said he plans to attend as many events as possible during the weeklong competition for injured and disabled military veterans.
Harry had arrived at the event followed by dozens of excited schoolchildren who had been given time off from their studies to attend the event.
His main bodyguard Chris Sanchez led the way as Harry walked briskly to his seat in the stands.
Harry’s wife Meghan Markle is expected to meet some of the children attending the event when she arrives at the Games later this week.
She and Harry are staying in the presidential suite of the waterfront hotel, where they will celebrate his 39th birthday on Friday.
Judi James said Harry (pictured with competitors) is much more animated when he is not alone
The Duke founded the games to support the rehabilitation of military personnel by giving them the challenge of competing in sporting events similar to the Paralympic Games.
This year the competition runs until September 16.
A total of 550 sick, injured and wounded former and current military personnel from 21 countries participate in ten team and individual sports.
Team UK, led by Royal Navy submarine officer Lieutenant Commander James Rogers, is supported by the Royal British Legion in partnership with the Ministry of Defense.
Harry revealed at the opening ceremony on Saturday that Meghan will cheer on Nigeria at this year’s Games after discovering she is of Nigerian descent.
The Duke said that while the Sussexes are not ‘playing favourites’, the discovery means things are likely to become ‘a little more competitive’ between the pair.
“We are also very excited to have new nations joining us,” the Duke told the packed arena. “Let’s hear it for Colombia, Israel and Nigeria.”
“Now I’m not saying we’re playing favorites at home… but since my wife discovered she’s of Nigerian descent, it’s probably going to be a little more competitive this year,” he added.