Meghan Markle’s Body Language on the Red Carpet Might Reveal How She’s Feeling About Her New Chapter
Meghan Markle’s unexpected appearance on the red carpet at the 2024 Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala on Oct. 5 sent fans into a tailspin. Not only did she re-wear her gorgeous red Carolina Herrera gown from 2021, but she also showed a new side to her personality without Prince Harry by her side.
The Duchess of Sussex attended the event with fellow philanthropist Kelly McKee Zajfen, looking a little more “shy” and “coy” than people have seen her in the past according to body language expert Judi James for the Daily Mail. She noted that Meghan has a “body language ritual” that fans often see between her and Prince Harry.
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“For a confident woman who is used to cameras and red carpets she acts grateful to see and join her friend here,” James said. Her seemingly “shy” appearance added a “subliminal desire to have someone take over the lead from Harry, as though she is somehow lost without him on the red carpet or wanting to suggest she is feeling more vulnerable and girlishly playful than usual.”
Meghan might be feeling “more vulnerable” at this moment because there have been resurfaced questions about her interactions with her staff at the palace in her former royal life and at Archewell. While her former and current stateside employees have defended her, the “bullying claims” still linger from her time in the U.K. Catherine St-Laurent, the couple’s former chief-of-staff told Us Weekly, “The time I spent working with Prince Harry and Meghan was incredibly meaningful to me.” Despite the ongoing controversy, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are investing in their personal careers instead of marketing themselves as a joint package.
“They had to change the narrative,” PR expert Mark Borkowski told The Telegraph on Oct. 1. “They need a venture that deflects from the failures. The charity aspect impresses upon everybody that he [Harry] does have value beyond the controversial stuff. It has the effect of separating them from the bad press and the failed content ideas.” Harry is sticking to the philanthropy side while Meghan will be leaning into her lifestyle guru era once American Riviera Orchard launches.
That major shift might be why Meghan seemed a bit hesitant on the red carpet. She’s stepping into new territory, and she won’t always have Harry by her side for reassurance. James pointed out that the Duchess of Sussex was signaling “a desire to be likable” and “very amenable to the press” on Saturday night, so it sounds like she’s ready for the next stage of her journey — even if she’s showing a few nerves.
Before you go, click here to see Meghan Markle’s best post-royal fashion moments below!
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