The Duke of Sussex’s body language at St Paul’s Cathedral suggested he had agreed to be the “invisible man” at the Jubilee service, an expert has said.
Harry kept a low profile at Friday’s thanksgiving service in central London, arriving holding hands with his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, ahead of his father and brother, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge.
She told the PA news agency: “It was like he had agreed to be the invisible man there to some extent.”
“There was also a return of the slightly haunted eye expression we used to see before they moved,” Ms James said.
Photos taken inside the cathedral show Harry at one stage with his mouth open, appearing to enjoy a joke with another, unknown, royal seated across the aisle.
Ms James said this moment could also show a sign of anxiety on Harry’s part.
“It looks like when pressure becomes almost unbearable and you’ve been subdued, it could be nervousness causing it.”
After the service, Harry and Meghan were spotted on the steps of the cathedral, holding hands while smiling and chatting with Harry’s cousin, Zara Tindall.
“There was that one moment when Harry seemed to relax a little bit. I think he must have been quite anxious about where the cars were or when the cars were turning up. He was looking to see where they were.
“He seemed grateful to be able to smile and seemed less anxious at that point.
“Up to that point his anxiety levels seemed quite high.”
Ms James also said the body language of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made them “look like the future king and queen” and suggested Kate “looked quite firm, as if she’s starting to take the lead”.
“She seems to come into her own at events like this, she takes over the regal presence without the Queen there.”
Meanwhile, William looked “joyful and upbeat”, although he appeared to move his head away and raise his programme slightly in what could be seen as a “barrier gesture” as he made his way indirectly past Harry on the way out of the cathedral, Ms James said.
