Meghan Markle took the quarrels between her husband Prince Harry and her brother-in-law Prince William "seriously" from the beginning, an expert claims.
It was previously reported that the two feuding brothers have not spoken since the release of Harry's memoir Spare, with the two royals only being reunited very briefly at the King's Coronation earlier this month but being kept apart.
However, it seems that the disagreements between the Duke and the future King started happening long before Spare was published, the Mirror reports.
In an old clip from 2018, the former "fab four" are seen talking about the Royal Foundation at the Make a Difference Together forum in London.
Meghan could be seen sitting with the two Princes and William's wife Kate Middleton, but it's now been revealed that during that time a royal rift was emerging.
Representing the Royal Foundation for the first time at the event, the Duchess of Sussex is said to have "sensed something serious" with her telling body language showing how she is feeling.
Body language expert Judi James has explained that Meghan may "have seen any disagreements between the brothers as something serious", which could possibly be why she appeared to cover her face during the public appearance.
Referring to the clip of the four royals sitting on a stage at the event, Judi told the 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 adds how the Suits Actress 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 came 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 turns to focus on Meghan "she goes off like a rocket of confidence, passion, impatience to make change and extensive experience".
Ms James also claims that William and Kate match each other's 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".
The body language expert also noted how Meghan touches her hair more frequently when things were getting more intense as they discussed 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 concludes: "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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