Meghan Markle took disagreements between her husband Prince Harry and his brother Prince William "seriously" from the start, according to an expert.
Reports in April claimed that Harry and William had not spoken since Harry's book Spare was released, with the brothers reunited momentarily at the King's Coronation earlier this month.
But it seems that disagreements between the brothers started long before Spare was released.
In an old video with the former "fab four" talking about the Royal Foundation at the Make a Difference Together forum in London in 2018, Meghan could be seen sat with the two brothers and William's wife Kate Middleton, with it now revealed that a royal rift was emerging.
Representing the Royal Foundation for the first time at the event, Meghan is said to have "sensed something serious" with her body language incredibly telling.
Body language expert Judi James has spoken about how Meghan "might have seen any disagreements between the brothers as something serious", which might be why she appeared cover her face during the public appearance.
Speaking about the video that shows the fab four sitting on a stage at the event, Judi tells Mirror US: "This telling footage has many comparisons to the footage of Charles and Diana’s engagement interview, with both showing powerful body language signs of future conflict and relationship splits.
"With Charles it was the terrible ‘Whatever in love means’ that threw an ice bucket over their marriage before the wedding had even taken place.
"With this launch of the ‘fab four’ it’s the moment when the two couples are asked about any disagreements and the spontaneous outbreak of embarrassed body language suggests there are already clashes and conflicts behind the calm smiles."
She then explains how Meghan had entered the "already-bonded family and working group at a high-status level", likening her entrance into the then-trio as "a new CEO come to take a seat in the boardroom".
"But her pace and energy are not shown as a good fit," Judi added, explaining further: "When William and Kate speak their delivery is very traditionally regal: slow-paced, low-energy, modest references to respected ‘experts’ and careful and cautious rather than rushed or hurried.
"Harry’s body language is already suggesting a problem. While Meghan sits listening politely, smiling encouragement at the Cambridges and barely moving (as an actress she would understand the rules about not upstaging).
"Harry looks in the depths of a sulk. His hands are clasped in a fig-leaf pose and he looks glumly down at his lap rather than performing any active listening and agreement signals."
Judi then explains how when the interview focuses on Meghan "she goes off like a rocket of confidence, passion, impatience to make change and extensive experience".
She notes that William and Kate match each other in terms of pace and tone, while Meghan’s pace is "rapid and the way she uses expressive hand gestures shows high energy levels".
"She takes the conversation up to a ‘global’ level with her brought experience, talking about her work with CEOs around the world.
"Her thumbs are curled back in the ‘cocked’ position, suggesting confidence and enthusiasm. But there are also a whole volley of cues concerning hair-touching that are, at the same time, suggesting self-awareness, coyness and even a desire to hide," Judi reveals.
She also touches on how Meghan touched her hair frequently, with things getting more intense when they were asked about disagreements.
"William, Kate and Harry pull faces but they keep their faces revealed to the camera," she says, revealing: "Meghan’s reaction is totally different as she drops her head dramatically, allowing her hair to hide her face.
"She also touches Harry’s arm in what looks like a polite restraining gesture and then repeats the cut-off ritual by covering her face with one hand."
Judi then concludes with: "It’s as though she might have seen any disagreements between the brothers as something serious, to keep her feelings hidden about.
"While the others giggle and smirk, Meghan seems to have sensed this is something more serious, despite the fact that she is also seen giggling."
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