Body language expert Judi James analyzed Meghan Markle’s last appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony at Trooping the Colour in 2019. The event, which celebrated the late Queen’s 93rd birthday, happened just weeks after Meghan gave birth to her first son, Prince Archie.
Meghan wore a navy dress by Givenchy and a matching hat by Noel Stewart. She stood in front of her husband, Prince Harry, which, according to James, may have made her feel uncomfortable and alone. This position meant she couldn’t easily see Harry’s body language to help her follow royal rules. Without that guidance, she seemed “nervous” and unsure of what to do.
A video of the event shows Meghan trying to talk to Harry while other royals around them were chatting. At first, Harry responded briefly, saying, “Yes, that’s right.” But when Meghan turned to him again, Harry appeared to tell her, “Turn around.” Then, as the national anthem began, he nodded toward the front and said, “Look.”
James pointed out that Harry’s reaction didn’t seem very supportive. Instead of helping his wife in a kind way, it looked more like he was telling off a child. Meghan’s facial expression showed she was upset, making it clear that she wasn’t feeling comfortable.
Meanwhile, the other royals on the balcony, including Harry, were casually talking with each other. Meghan, however, seemed a bit left out, adding to her discomfort.
James compared this moment to when Prince William was corrected by the late Queen during Trooping the Colour in 2016. At the time, she told him to “stand up” when he crouched down to talk to his son, Prince George. However, Meghan’s situation was different because she was still adjusting to royal life and was under a lot of public attention.
James said it’s easy to feel bad for Meghan in this moment. Standing on the balcony is a very formal and highly visible royal tradition. The public watches from below, and the royals have to make sure they act properly. Meghan was already under a lot of pressure because people were so interested in her.
