Meghan Markle's playful manner with royal children is a "distraction" from serious issues within The Firm, a behavioural psychologist believes.
The Duchess of Sussex was today pictured smiling with Savannah Phillips and Mia Tindall during the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
She was likened to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, for making kids around her feel at ease.
Her return to the UK for the Platinum Jubilee is Meghan's first visit since quitting as frontline royals in 2020.
In the meantime she and Prince Harry claimed in a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey that an unnamed member of the family had made a racist comment about son Archie's skin colour.
In a heartbreaking conversation watched by millions around the world, Meghan also said she had not been provided any support when she was struggling with her mental health.
It is unclear whether the interview has caused tensions since the couple arrived in the country yesterday.
But psychologist Jo Hemmings believes Meghan is "distracting" in what could be a very serious atmosphere.
She told The Sun : “What is really clear is that Meghan is using playfulness as a distracting gesture from the more serious issues and divided opinion that have accompanied her and Harry on this trip."
Ms Hemmings said Meghan would be "hyper aware of the delicacy of the situation", but was "attempting to join in with a jollity she may not genuinely feel".
She said: “It’s interesting to see her bend down, closer to the children – a very Diana-like gesture – therefore making them feel more at ease.
“She also recognises that by immersing herself with children rather than any of the adults, they will be far less judgemental in words or looks than any of the grown ups.
While Meghan wasn't part of the official part of the event, she did watch proceedings from the Duke of Wellington’s former office alongside other, less senior royals.
Speaking to The Mirror earlier today, body language expert Judi James claims Meghan was "in her element" as she chatted to the Tindall and Phillips children.
She was spotted leaning down to chat with them, jokingly shushing with them while the procession took place outside.
She said: "Glimpsed from a window we could see Meghan and Harry looking unexpectedly relaxed and upbeat in a low-key appearance that seemed much more to their tastes than previous awkward, tense appearances with the rest of the Firm.
"Meghan was looking playful and in her element with a group of young royals who also seemed to adore her, shushing them with her eyes wide and rounded but also smiling and she shushed to suggest she wasn’t being totally serious.
"Her loving gaze at Harry created some solid continuity with the more public PDAs the couple are famous for and the fun they were having looked a world away from some of the more tense-looking poses from the top level royals out on the balcony as they "watched the fly-past."
However Judi believes it was a very different story when it came to the Duchess of Cambridge, who did made the cut for the historical Buckingham Palace balcony moment.
She was joined by Prince William and her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to watch the RAF flypast, but Judi believes she looked far more "serious" than her sister-in-law.
Judi said: " William and Kate emerged wearing their serious facial expressions, with William directing their children into position before standing apart from Kate to ensure a good spread of parental guidance."
