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Meghan Markle found herself in an awkward situation earlier this year in front of camera crews with her husband Prince Harry.
The couple, who quit life as senior royals in 2020, visited Canada together in February to mark “One Year to Go” until the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, which it is rumoured their two children may attend.
However, while the trip received plenty of good publicity, a body language expert picked up on an awkward moment when Meghan, who is believed to have wanted an equal role to Harry at the event, was discreetly snubbed by her husband.
Body language expert Judi James told the Mirror at the time that the Duchess of Sussex, 43, seemed to want to be more than just her husband’s “Plus One”.
She said: “When he squats to chat to athletes she squats right alongside him and her body language rituals define her as very much a part of him in the communication. Her head is close to his and her reactions mirror his during the chats, showing her to be sharing the conversations with her husband rather than doing her own thing.”
As well as chatting to people at the event, the Duke of Sussex, 40, was also invited to take part in a skeleton ride. Once this was done, Meghan went to hug the prince, who declined his wife’s intimate gesture.
Speaking about the moment, Judi said: “Meghan is in support and congratulatory mode again, walking into shot with both hands held out in a proffered hug. Harry keeps his safety helmet in his hands though, signalling a decline of the hug, while he continues chatting to the guy next to him.
“[She looked]so keen to join in and to enjoy the exhilaration with Harry. [But] she was left with a truncated hug plus two other conversion gestures of slight awkwardness as she waits.
“She touches her face then raises her hand in a polite signal of a wish to speak. She then touches her knitted hat and in the end taps Harry to get his attention, smiling and covering her mouth in a collusive giggly grin before saying ‘Well done’.”
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler is expected to be attended by both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex next year, with Meghan often appearing by her husband’s side at Invictus Games events.
Around 550 competitors from up to 25 nations will take part in the Winter Invictus Games 2025, which will include sitting volleyball, swimming and wheelchair basketball. For the first time, winter sports such as alpine skiing, snowboarding, and wheelchair curling will also be part of the competition.
Express.co.uk previously reported that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are making arrangements for their children to attend the opening ceremony at BC Place Vancouver in February, according to a source. This is despite the fact the couple have shielded both Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, from the spotlight since moving to America four years ago.
The source said: “Harry and Meghan are planning to take Archie and Lilibet to help promote a new ‘family-friendly’ Invictus Games.”