Body language expert claims Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have 'toned it down' after years of PDA

LONDON, ENGLAND: According to a body language expert, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, who once put on quite the show at gatherings, are starting to display their love in a more subdued manner.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex gained attention for their public displays of affection after going public with their relationship in 2016—especially considering that such displays were unusual for the royal family.

Harry and Meghan often flouted the rules and refused to conceal how in love they were feeling, in comparison with the likes of King Charles and Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate, who have very rarely held hands or shared a kiss in public.

Body language expert reveals Harry and Meghan 'have toned it down a bit'

Body language expert Darren Stanton claimed that Harry and Meghan have now reduced the intensity of their public displays since their love has "evolved," per Hello! Magazine.

According to Stanton, since the couple first came out as a couple in 2016, they have "drastically" progressed past their "tactile" PDA phase.

Speaking to Hello! Magazine on Betfair Bingo's behalf, Stanton said, "Harry and Megan’s relationship has evolved. When looking at their body language, their public displays of affection have changed drastically over the years."

The couple's demeanor has also compared to that of Prince William and Kate Middleton, who are also known to be more affectionate in public than their older counterparts from the family.

"When they started dating and became more established as an official couple, they were very affectionate in public, almost more affectionate than William and Kate," Stanton noted.

The Sussexes dropped out of the spotlight following a string of disappointments in Hollywood, but they haven't stopped working for charity through their business, Archewell.

Stanton stated that although the Sussexes still occasionally win over people with their romantic displays, they usually keep their relationship more personal.

He noted, "I feel that they have toned it down a bit in recent times. I have seen their engaged eye contact has decreased and they aren't as tactile with one another."

Stanton continued, "While they do love each other and they will do anything to support one another, we tend not to see them being as openly passionate."

"Despite this, the pair clearly have huge levels of respect for each other, and are there for each other through everything," the body language expert added.

Previous 'pose and physicality' of the Sussexes

The Duchess of Sussex escorted her husband around the social setting at the Sussexes' first-ever in-person event for the Archewell Foundation on World Mental Health Day on October 10, as previously reported by OK! Magazine.

Body language expert Judi James stated of Harry at the time, "At the event in New York his entire pose and physicality made him look uncomfortable."

"He sat in an awkward position and he didn’t ‘take control’ of his seat, which means adopting a pose that retains a sense of dignity and elegance whatever chair you’ve been given," James explained.

James continued, "When he spoke he also rubbed his hand along his thigh, up and down, several times."

"The odd self-comfort gesture can be understandably subconscious but this was repeated to a point that he must have been aware what he was doing," she added.

The spouses were also recently seen at a Kevin Costner charity function in autumn during their stay in Manhattan.

James explained at the time, "His hand gestures here at the Costner gig are also ‘different’ for Harry. Most of them, like clapping hands together and that high, almost pleading hand clasp are the sort of gestures that tend to say one thing: 'Please listen to me.'"

She continued, "They suggest a desire to be listened to when someone speaks and a desire to get and hold the attention and respect of the listener."

Stanton believed the Sussexes were more at ease with one another, but James observed Meghan try to barge in on Harry's conversations.

James explained, "Harry ends up being interrupted by his wife. Not only does he seem to be fighting for the guy’s attention he also seems to be losing the battle to Meghan, too. She appears to take over with a smile and social ease that Harry might be lacking."

Meghan and Harry had their first meeting in London in July 2016, and they got engaged 16 months later. After getting married in May 2018, the pair has two children: Princess Lilibet, 2, and Prince Archie, 4.

Following the birth of their son Archie in May 2019, Harry and Meghan withdrew from the royal family as senior members and relocated to America, where they currently reside with their children.