‘Wary & cautious’ Prince Harry ‘expecting to be booed’ on arrival at St Pauls after Charles snub, says body language pro
PRINCE HARRY appeared “wary and cautious” as though expecting he might be booed, upon his arrival at St Paul’s Cathedral this evening, a body language expert has claimed.
The Prince is in the UK on a whistle-stop tour, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, a sporting event for those in the armed forces and for veterans, that was founded by Harry himself.
The Duke of Sussex is in the country without his wife and children, although Meghan Markle is expected to join him on his trip to Nigeria next week.
Harry will not see his father during his UK visit after King Charles said that his schedule was too busy for him to fit in a meeting with his youngest son.
As Harry arrived at the Invictus event this evening, wearing his military medals on his chest, body language expert Judi James told Fabulous that, although he tried to channel some of his “jaunty bounce”, he appeared to be uncomfortable as he greeted the crowd.
Judi said: “Harry cuts a very solitary figure here as he walks up the steps on his arrival at St Pauls.
“He appears to try to channel some of his signature jaunty bounce but there are at least three body language cues to suggest a sense of wariness or caution as though he might be expecting to be booed.
She continued: “His shoulders are hunched slightly forward and his head is dipped, suggesting no attempt to peacock or to imply royal status.
“He buttons his jacket but then brings his right arm up after the left has dropped in a partial barrier ritual, suggesting some discomfort.
“Harry performs three waves, one to either side of the steps and one last, over-the-shoulder wave as he enters the church.
“They all look tentative and for the last one he has his head dipped again.
“When he finishes the waves he brings his ‘wave’ hand down onto his thigh in a small slapping gesture, suggesting a desire to self-motivate.”
After walking up the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral Harry, was greeted by a clergyman, but Judi claimed that this did little to calm the Prince’s anxiety.
She said: “Wearing his medals pinned to his chest again, Harry looks wary, holding his jacket together with his left hand in a barrier ritual, a self-comfort self-touch that is still in place as he holds the clergyman’s hand in a tight, tense-looking shake.”
The King spent the evening just three miles away from his son, at the first Buckingham Palace Garden Party of the year.
Charles, 75, resumed public duties last week for the first time since beginning cancer treatment.
Announcing that the duo would not be reuniting this week, a spokesperson for Harry said: “
It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.
“The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
In a second snub, Charles revealed Prince William will take charge of Harry’s former helicopter regiment next week.
A source told The Sun: “Timing is everything.”
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