Prince Harry took backseat to let Meghan Markle 'soak up the attention' on Colombia tour, claims expert
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA: Prince Harry intentionally made himself less important as he wanted his wife Meghan Markle to “soak up all the attention” as they met Colombia's vice president in Bogota on Thursday, August 15, a body language expert claimed.
The former senior royal pair was invited for a four-day tour to the South American nation by Vice President Francia Marquez after she watched their docuseries ‘Harry & Meghan’, as reported by PEOPLE.
Francia Marquez says Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are ‘motivating’
The 42-year-old politician said, “I particularly watched the Netflix series about their lives and their story, which deeply moved me. It motivated me to say, 'This is a woman who deserves to visit our country and share her story', and undoubtedly, her visit will strengthen so many women around the world.”
Commenting on the photos from the meeting, body language expert Judi James said, as reported by the Daily Mail, “Harry’s body language on their arrival and as they greet their host suggests some status-lowering as though he is keen to avoid pulling royal rank here.”
Body language expert claims Prince Harry showed a ‘very non-royal’ side of him
She further explained that the Duke of Sussex “walks ahead, towing his wife along and allowing her to soak up all the attention with her elegant posture, that designer bag, and her perfect, Duchenne smiles and excited eye-smiles, while his own facial expression looks less performative for the cameras.'
James also shared her views on how Meghan and Marquez first met and greeted each other.
She mentioned, “Meghan greets the host warmly, using non-verbal signals that would normally imply a long, fond friendship. Her arms are held out to retain the clasp as though she is reluctant to let go and keen to chat while using eye contact and close attention signals.”
While about Harry, she added, “Harry responds with a very non-royal bow to signal respect and to lower his own status as his hand is held in a two-handed grasp of affection.”
Meghan Markle hailed for her good Spanish
Meanwhile, during their Thursday trip, the Sussexes also went to the city center public school Centro Nacional Cultura Popular, where the mother-of-two received praise for her knowledge of Spanish.
“She speaks Spanish well. We had to explain a few of our typical Colombian slang words that our students use and that caused a few laughs and jokes,” Headmaster Leonel Umana, 51, said.
He added, “At first, we were told that there were to be no mobile phones or pictures due to protocol. But when we finished the session and toured the school with them they broke the protocol and posed for pictures with the kids. Harry told the teachers to keep up their good work, which they loved.”
