Expert notes Prince Harry ‘collapsing like a soufflé’ as Meghan Markle interrupts in old clip

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Prince Harry appeared to “collapse like a souffle” and looked visibly taken aback during a public discussion at Marcy Lab School back in 2023 as Meghan Markle repeatedly spoke over him, according to body language expert Judi James.

In the resurfaced video going viral, she analyzed their gestures, body language, and interactions, noting moments when Harry seemed frustrated and allowed his wife to take control of the discussion. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke about mental wellness in a digital age.

Since stepping down as working royals, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have given numerous joint interviews, many following a recurring pattern: Meghan often takes the lead and sometimes speaks over Prince Harry when responding to questions. 

Judi James decodes Prince Harry and Meghan Markle body language

In most interviews, Prince Harry listens quietly while Meghan answers the questions, but during a 2023 roundtable at Marcy Lab School in New York City, promoting education and mental health, he appeared visibly frustrated as Meghan interrupted him.

Speaking to Dailymail, Judi James, a body language expert, decoded the behavior patterns of Harry and Meghan during the school event. She explained why Harry spoke less and why Meghan’s behavior can be “one of the biggest causes of public rows or bickering between couples.”

“We can see Harry’s body language collapse like a souffle, and she holds her hands out to speak while he is mid-flow as she takes over with her dominant word: ‘education.’ This is where she ups the pace and energy to engage and take attention from him,” James said.

James noted that Harry responses were not in sync with Meghan’s behavior.

"Harry’s response here is a cut-off ritual where he touches his nose, effectively hiding his facial expression and response." She observed that Harry seemed taken aback, lowering his gaze and stretching in response.

She explained that couples interrupting each other indoors can reflect an “enthusiastic desire” to communicate casually. But in public, James said, “When one interrupts the other at a social or business event, it can look rude, status-lowering, and demeaning.”

James added that couples often rely on non-verbal cues, like a small touch or slight change in posture, to indicate they want to speak without interrupting. “The important thing is it won’t interrupt the flow of the one speaking,” she said.

Judi James highlights Prince Harry frustration at public event

James pointed out that Harry usually speaks with energy, using his hands and facial expressions, but this changed when Meghan interrupted him. “His non-verbal showboating gets to the point where he is smiling with his head turned away from Meghan, in full flow.”

“With Harry looking away, he has no opportunity to see intentional signals from Meghan, so her interruption seems like a shock. This has been an exciting day at The Marcy Lab School! Today, we were thrilled to welcome Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to campus to meet the Fall 2023 and Spring 2023 Fellows,” the school tweeted.

The body langauge expert examined his facial expression when he looked up with an eyelid flutter, calling it a 'micro-grimace.'

“This could look to her like a ritual of assessment or disagreement. To keep attention on herself, Meghan then performs a wide, gracious smile at the audience.”

She added that Harry’s reaction made the interruptions appear worse. “If he grinned or nodded in a ‘baton-passing’ gesture, it would look more synchronized, but his response here looks less than amused."

She suggested that royal expectations of undivided attention might also influence his behavior.

Judi James on Meghan Markle's gestures at public event

Breaking down Meghan Markle’s behavior, James said, “She seems happy to use more visible and less subtle pats.” The body language expert noted that Markle often uses touching, stroking, and steering gestures to signal Harry in public. In this case, she jumped in and took over the discussion. 

James described Meghan as “clearly the most engaging and compelling speaker,” adding that this type of behavior can feel like “criticism” to the person being interrupted.