Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appeared to share an awkward moment when they arrived at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Wednesday for the Time100 Summit via NY Post.
They stepped out of their car as the Duke of Sussex, appeared to reach out to his wife to hold her hand. But Markle, appeared not to notice and instead hugged a woman who was waiting for her arrival.
Watch Meghan Markle awkwardly leave ‘spare’ Prince Harry hanging in NYC crowd https://t.co/7wPK0mcLO9 pic.twitter.com/cafBBgBScy
— New York Post (@nypost) April 24, 2025
Harry, instead, then stood alone and adjusted his outfit while watching Markle embrace her friend.
Moments later, Harry also followed Markle into the building. Right before they walked through the door, Markle turned around as her husband caught up to her.
Body language expert Judi James analyzed the couple’s interaction in an interview with the Daily Mail.
“Whether Harry’s leading or lurking here he appears to be in the role of ‘spare,’ displaying some awkward-looking body language poses while a more assured Meghan takes the starring role,” James said.
Harry grew up being known as the “spare” because he’s Prince William’s younger brother.
“By the time they’re arriving for the greetings it seems to be Meghan very much in the lead while Harry lurks behind,” James told the Daily Mail.
“Meghan uses one key non-verbal cue or tell here to elevate her celebrity or star status. While her arms are bent at a 45-degree angle, her hands adopt a ‘celebrity wilt’, dangling from her bent wrists. This is a gesture that suggests a form of specialness,” she added.
James also noted that Markle’s body language “reflects status power as in ‘I don’t need my hands as I have people to open my doors and tow me along.’”
“It’s Meghan who works the cameras here and instigates the gracious-looking hugs of friendship,” she said, adding, “Harry waits his turn in a way that would have been unthinkable during his time in the royal family. His jacket hangs open and his expression is more intense and less radiant than his wife’s.”
Harry and Markle arrived to the Time100 Summit in a four-car motorcade, made up of another SUV and two unmarked police cars and were flanked by several security guards.
The exiled royal wore a dark suit to the event, while the As Ever founder donned a tan blazer, matching pants, a white top and heels.
Markle later took to the Time100 Summit stage and gushed that she’s currently “the happiest” she’s ever been.
“To have a partner and a husband who is so supportive and have healthy kids who are so joyful,” she said. “I never would have imagined at this point I would feel so happy and grateful and I really do.”
