Both Harry and Meghan Showed ‘Frustration’ During Latest Outing, Says Body Language Expert
Body language expert Inbaal Honigman said, "Both of them are showing some frustration, as if there's something they want to do but they can't."
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle felt sporty this Valentine's Day, as they attended the NBA All-Star Game on February 15. Opting for a low-key celebration of their love, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex headed to the basketball event after a private dinner in Beverly Hills. Analyzing their recent appearance, body language expert Inbaal Honigman revealed that despite their broad smiles and waves, there were signs of underlying tension and frustration, possibly triggered by the large crowds and attention from cameras.
Speaking to HELLO!, Honigman pointed out that Harry and Markle's gesture of holding on tightly to their wrists signified 'tension.' She explained, "Harry and Meghan both used the same non-verbal gesture at the same time! Harry's hand holds on to his other wrist, and Meghan does the exact same gesture." Noting how the gesture was a self-soothing desire to restrain oneself, she added, "Both of them are showing some frustration, as if there's something they want to do but they can't." According to her, at one point, the Duke was seen 'curling his fingers,' an unusual gesture, as the royal couple usually act "independently from one another even when close together."
Despite the apparent display of nervousness, Honingman gushed about Markle's 'perfectly lovely' smile in front of the cameras. She continued, "Her cheeks are raised and rounded, which creates a full-face smile." In a similar vein, lip reader Nicola Hickling also decoded the Sussexes' behavior, telling the Royal Insider that the Duke appeared to tell his wife, "I can't explain it, there are so many rules." The Duchess, who then laughed, reportedly replied, "Explain it to me, I really don't understand the game." Harry then quipped, "I know that… I can't always explain it over and over again."
Echoing Honingman's sentiments, body language expert Judi James also believed that Harry was nervous in front of the cameras, but Markle was the complete opposite. She told The Mirror, "Meghan's wide, symmetric smile for the cameras and raised and rounded cheeks suggest she's delighted by the attention and the opportunity to create her own perfectly curated set of Valentine love signals to show off her relationship with Harry." Pointing out how the Duchess directed the Duke's attention to the cameras on the Jumbotron screen, she stressed, "She [Markle] holds his [Harry's] thigh in a possessive and flirty looking gesture, or she clings onto his arm with both hands to register closeness."
During the nail-biting match, Harry and Markle were seated beside rapper Queen Latifah and her partner, Eboni Nichols, as they chatted and mingled effortlessly. Since relocating to the USA, the Sussexes have often been spotted at high-profile sporting events, enjoying the Californian lifestyle. Last October, they were in attendance at Game 4 of the 2025 World Series in Los Angeles, cheering on the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Toronto Blue Jays at Dodger Stadium, displaying an eerily similar body language.
