Prince Harry attended a dinner hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in New York over the weekend, and a body language expert said the 40-year-old appeared to be struggling with his “visible demotion” within the royal hierarchy.
While his wife, Meghan Markle, was not present at the event honoring survivors of child violence, a number of important people were in attendance, including Queen Mathilde of Belgium, actor Forest Whitaker, several heads of UN agencies and other dignitaries.
Officials from countries including Sweden, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Georgia, Canada, Iceland and Brazil were also present, as well as survivors of child abuse to discuss the important topic at Sunday’s event.
They are all in New York for the UN General Assembly, which starts Monday morning in Manhattan.
While you’d think Prince Harry would feel right at home in the royal family again, it appears the Duke of Sussex is “struggling with his visible degradation,” according to body language expert Judi James.
Prince Harry was photographed embracing Queen Mathilde of Belgium at an event in New York on Sunday
Body language expert Judi James noted that ‘as Harry and Matilda walk in a group, Harry appears to be the one trailing behind to emphasise that he is no longer the only royal in the room’
One of the photos from the event shows King Charles’ youngest son greeting Queen Mathilde.
James described the embrace to FEMAIL: ‘It is Mathilde who adopts the body language of royal rank and status, while Harry may be struggling with his visible demotion.
‘He greets the Belgian queen as if he were family, with a warm look on her face and his right hand around her upper arm, which seems to create a sweet moment of tactile affection.’
James added that while Matilda’s face “appears wrinkled in a mutual smile,” Harry looked more enthusiastic. “As she leans towards her, she seems to adopt a more upright posture, while her right hand on Harry’s shoulder looks regally elegant and polite.”
This wasn’t the only signal the body language expert noticed in the photos.
She added: ‘While Harry and Matilda walk in a group, it appears that Harry is walking at the back, to emphasise that he is no longer the only royal in the room in New York.’
Perhaps even more serious was her comment about his facial expression, which seemed somewhat unhappy.
James said: ‘His facial expression seems to have lapsed into the “hunted” look that is unfortunately a typical sign of Harry when he is not cheerful and lively.’
According to Judi James, Prince Harry appeared to have a “pained” expression, which she said “is unfortunately a hallmark of Harry when he is not cheerful and lively”
The meeting came a day after Harry attended Kevin Costner’s charity concert at his beachside estate all by himself, while he was on the other side of the country in California, while Meghan was reportedly “ill.”
At the WHO event, MC Will Poulter told attendees: ‘Violence takes many forms – both physical and psychological – and each has a lasting impact on those who experience it.
‘There are a billion children worldwide who experience such violence. The statistics are staggering, but they reflect real lives.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that these children are protected.”
Also in attendance were well-known figures such as Whitaker and Shudu Musida, who, together with survivors, wrote an open letter last week urging world leaders to take urgent action to end violence against children.
Forrest Whittaker was also present and can be seen here talking to Prime Minister De Croo and the Duke of Sussex
This comes ahead of the first-ever global ministerial conference on ending violence against children, which will take place in Colombia in November.
Signatories to the letter included Harry, Mathilde and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who spoke extensively with the Duke of Sussex and actor during the event.
The Belgian royal family also addressed the crowd, calling for more action against children who face corporal punishment, bullying, online violence and sexual abuse.
Other forms of violence the group cites include gang violence, child marriage and child labor.
Meghan, meanwhile, was nowhere to be seen after she championed initiatives to combat online bullying earlier this summer.
In August, the Duchess was seen affectionately clutching her husband’s knee on the set of CBS News Sunday Morning as she described how she struggled with suicidal thoughts over the abuse she endured as a working royal
She told presenter Jane Pauley how she hopes her candor will help young people around the world cope with similar feelings, while also asking her husband for support.
The event was organised by the WHO and was attended by politicians including Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, pictured here next to Harry. Meghan was noticeably absent after missing actor Kevin Costner’s house party because she was ‘ill’ the day before
“If you’ve experienced pain or trauma, part of our healing process — and certainly mine — is being able to be very open about it,” Markle said as Harry looked on.
‘I’ve only had limited experience of my own, but I don’t think I want anyone else to feel that way.
“And I would never want anyone else to make these kinds of plans,” she added.[A]and I would never want anyone else to be disbelieved.’
A source told the Mirror that she missed Costner’s Santa Barbara home because “she [was] sick and could not come’.
Well-known names such as Jeff Bridges, Rob Lowe and Pink were present.