Prince Harry was rejected by a coy Meghan Markle who used a flirty barrier gesture after being caught on camera at a basketball game, a body language expert has claimed.
The pair laughed awkwardly when they were caught on camera at the LA Lakers game last night during a surprise appearance.
But despite Harry's apparent enthusiasm Meghan seemingly declined a kiss as they appeared on the big screen in front of 20,000 people at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown LA.
Despite thousands clapping and cheering, encouraging them to kiss, Meghan seemed reluctant, even as Harry seemingly leaned in for a smooch.
And according to body language expert Judi James, Meghan used a flirty partial barrier gesture to reject Harry's advances.
She told the Mirror: "Giggling and flirting together at the basketball, Harry and Meghan’s body language last night might just have provided a snapshot of their mood and dynamic prior to the even more public moment on May 6, when Harry will presumably be sitting in solitary, isolated and reflective mode at his father's coronation in the UK.
"These are first-date, flirty signals from the couple, who use head closeness and eye engagement to show their levels of bonding.
"The body language is tactile and even romantic but it also shows Meghan taking the lead in terms of rejecting the offer of a Kiss-cam kiss that Harry seems more than up for.
"Meghan's hand-to-mouth movement looks coy and flirty but it also forms a partial barrier in terms of any public snog.
"She also places her right hand on Harry's arm to keep him in his seat here and Harry does a comedy grimace to the fans to register the fact that his wife has taken the grown-up role in terms of protecting their dignity.
"It's playful and affectionate signalling but with a hint from Meghan of getting it right in front of the cameras.
"She manages to turn the kiss down but still use giggling and flirting signals to show her levels of attachment and affection."
The outing was the first time Harry and Meghan have been seen in public together since announcing their Coronation plans.
It was announced that Harry would be attending the Coronation of his father King Charles on May 6 - but Meghan would be staying behind in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Meanwhile, yesterday, Meghan broke cover and was seen for the first time since it emerged she would be skipping the Coronation next month.
She was seen via video link introducing a Ted Talk by her long-time friend and photographer Misan Harriman, who has snapped many photos of Harry, Meghan and their family.
It was also Meghan's first appearance since reports surfaced that she wrote a personal letter to the King over her concerns of racism within the Royal Family.
The Duchess of Sussex is understood to have sent the correspondence in the wake of the her explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, where she alleged comments were made about the colour of their unborn son Archie's skin.
Her appearance introducing the Ted Talk emerged after Misan posted a photo on Instagram showing Meghan on the big screen, smiling as she spoke.
He wrote: "The Duchess of Sussex was kind enough to introduce me unto the stage for my @ted Thank you for the support Meg."
