Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have appeared in a newly released video helping to fund online safety projects, their first public appearance since their “near catastrophic” paparazzi car chase in May.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were filmed sitting together in the garden of their $14.7 million (£12 million) mansion in Montecito, California in the video released this week.
In the newly released video, the royal couple was seen grinning and laughing as they surprised recipients from the Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund (RTYPF) who had won grants to fund online safety projects for young people.
One expert believes that while both Meghan and Harry still had an “air of brand resilience” there also appeared to be some “subtle hints of tension” during their brief appearance.
Body language expert Judi James said that Meghan appeared “assertive” while Harry appeared more “submissive” in their video together.
Judi said: “Fans have been starved of the Harry and Meghan love story for a while now and with rumours of their work creating time apart this short appearance is the first time to see the power couple double act in action once again.
“The way they play swaps with their status signals here suggests they are still a formidable professional double act.”
She added: “Meghan sounds more assured at the start, holding the phone while Harry sits in a more submissive pose with his arms hanging between his legs as he lets out a soft, high-pitched ‘Hi’ to their caller but later he is holding the phone up to his own face and sitting in a splayed pose with one elbow stuck out as his ‘This is exactly why we do what we do’ sounds assertive and emphatic.”
Both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared happy and comfortable while making their surprise appearance. Judi said: “If there are any emphatic, over-kill signals from the couple they seem to be used to project happiness, pride, and excitement in their callers.
“Hunching over the phone their faces are wreathed in smiles and their eye-gaze seems to be reflective as they listen to their stories.”
However, Judi also pointed out that there appeared to be some small signs of tension.
She said: “There is an air of brand resilience here but also some subtle hints of tension as well as excitement.
“A small muscle appears to be working in Meghan’s jaw as she smiles and Harry is seen sucking his lips in and apparently chewing his lower lip at one point, as well as clinging onto the back of the chair with one hand.”
