Meghan Markle has been given a major boost by being positioned as the 'star of the show' in the official photograph selected to represent the royal family at King Charles' Coronation, a body language expert has revealed.
After Buckingham Palace released the beaming image of the seemingly close-knit royals crowded around Charles for the historic occasion, many fans were surprised to see the inclusion of Markle and husband Harry, who have made no secret of their estrangement from the Firm in recent years.
Meghan has also made the decision to 'snub' the May 6 event choosing instead to remain in Los Angeles with her children leaving Harry to face the music solo.
Despite their distance, King Charles has made huge steps to carefully select a photo that show Meghan and Harry as firmly part of the family - and even overshadowing Prince William and Kate Middleton, according to body language expert Judi James.
Casting an expert eye over the cosy photo, Judi says the Duchess of Sussex is the "stand-out star" as she laughs with Queen Camilla and Princess Charlotte, while Kate Middleton appears "downgraded".
Speaking to The Mirror, Judi also pointed out King Charles has sought to 'airbrush history' with the move.
"Kate has received a body language downgrade here. Standing to the side of the pose and looking outward, she appears stripped of her current status as the stand-out star of the Firm.
"It's Meghan who catches the eye here, bending forward and laughing in delight as she shares the happy moment with Camilla and Charlotte in a very active and relaxed-looking way.
"Her pose here suggests warmth and a desire to get involved as part of the family."
Judi added: "The choice of a pose that depicts the royals as one fond, loving and closely-bonded family group is so distant from current reality that it suggests that Charles is either a fan of historical air-brushing and photo-shopping, sweeping all the splits, rifts and bitterness under the carpet, or that he is keen to show the Sussex’s are welcome back into the fold, with an added hint that maybe life wasn’t so bad for them here after all."
Harry and Meghan's relationship with the Royal Family has been at an all time low following the Sussexes' Netflix documentary and release of Harry's debut memoir Spare.
In the book, the 38-year-old described his step-mother Queen Camilla as "dangerous" and detailed an alleged physical confrontation with his brother Prince William.
However, in the Coronation picture, Judi says Harry and William seem united.
"And of course the two brothers are in a significantly bonded pose here as though any rift was all part of out imagination.
"Smiling broadly they stand side-by-side like twinned equals and close enough for their arms to be touching.
"Harry's smile looks especially cheerful here and with his hand also placed close to his brother's on the back of the bench there are no body language clues from either of the Sussex's that this was anything other than a joy to experience."
She added: "Charles is central to this pose and very much in the role of patriarch and affectionate grandpa, while Camilla's active bonding rituals with little Charlotte, who looks relaxed and happy nestling beside her, is clearly a world away from the 'wicked stepmother' hint in Harry’s book."
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