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Meghan Markle Tried to Avoid Being ‘Seen as Dependent’ on Harry During NYC Outing, Says Expert

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry came across as a power couple during their recent appearance in New York. On October 9, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were honored with the Humanitarians of the Year award at the Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Gala. Analyzing footage from the evening, body language expert Inbaal Honigman, however, argued that Markle made an effort to avoid appearing ‘dependent’ on Harry. According to the expert, while the Duchess sought brief ‘reassurance’ from the Duke, she quickly pulled away to project independence.

As reported by The Royal Insider, Honigman explained, "Making their way into the Gala, the royal couple walk almost as if they’re there independently from each other. They hold hands, but when they stop and pose, Meghan leans away from Harry, revealing that she doesn’t want to be seen as dependent on him."

The expert noted that while Markle gazed twice toward Harry, he failed to look at her, unintentionally snubbing her. "When they walk from posing spot to posing spot, their hand-holding struggles, as they tug at each other, she tries to lead, but then he does too." However, he stressed that the fact that the couple ‘constantly’ held hands suggests they're still very much happy together.

Likewise, body language expert Judi James also decoded Markle and Harry’s subtle cues during the event. She told the Daily Express that while the Duchess appeared confident in front of the cameras, the Duke was ‘slightly fiercer,’ perhaps fighting some ‘inner anxiety.’ She argued, "This is a rather pared-back self-satisfied look of pride from the award-winning couple who pose here with Harry looking out into the cameras while Meghan's ritual is about mirroring his direction of gaze before turning her head to look up at his face." She further opined that Markle helped her nervous husband to move to the next spot on the red carpet. 

Harry and Markle’s appearance at the Gala highlighted their efforts in creating a safer online community for youth, in addition to their many contributions to mental health awareness. While accepting the Award, Markle lovingly remembered her two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in her speech. She said, "Our children, Archie and Lilibet, are just 6 and 4 years old. Can you believe it?" Reflecting on the challenges they, as parents, face in the digital age, she added, "Like so many parents, we think constantly about how to embrace technology’s benefits while safeguarding against its dangers."

With their recent appearance, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex aimed to create a safe online space to prevent young lives from being lost to cyberbullying. The Duchess boldly also went off-script to divert the audience's attention to The Lost Screen Memorial, an art installation showcasing victims of cyberbullying.