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Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s PDA Has Reportedly Reached New Heights During Nigeria Trip

Giovana Gelhoren
3 min read
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Even before their long-awaited kiss on their wedding day, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have never shied away from being affectionate with one another. In fact, it’s safe to say they even started a more PDA-forward trend in the royal family when they were royals themselves. And, in the years since, their public displays of affection have only gotten stronger.

In their recent trip to Nigeria, body language expert Judi James looked closely at how the two behaved while arriving at State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s house on May 12. As it turns out, their PDA has been taken up a notch.

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“There’s something almost parent/childlike about this body language as Harry and Meghan perform small dance-like rituals to avoid letting go of each other’s hands, even for a second,” James told Daily Mail. In the moment, Markle and Harry walk up to the podium hand in hand. Before they pose for photos, Markle lets go of Harry’s hand with her right hand while almost immediately giving him her left hand as they look up at the crowd.

“They seem to want to cling together for affection and to have a tactile link to create tie signs i.e. small steering touches or moments of reassurance while they are out appearing in public,” James continued. “Their hands are clasped as they arrive and Harry seems to tap the clasp against his thigh as though wanting to reassure himself.”

“When the moment comes for Harry to walk ahead of Meghan and for them to have to break the clasp it is Harry looking so reluctant that Meghan clasps his wrist with her free hand to pull the clasp open and even then, once Harry moves ahead, he has to quickly re-grab Meghan by his left hand, as though desperately needing that level of touch,” James continued. In other words, Harry was craving Markle’s reassurance and touch so much, that he didn’t want to let go, even for just a moment.

Britain’s Meghan (L), Duchess of Sussex, and Britain’s Prince Harry (R), Duke of Sussex arrive at the State Governor House in Lagos on May 12, 2024 as they visit Nigeria as part of celebrations of the Invictus Games anniversary. (Photo by KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty Images)
Britain’s Meghan (L), Duchess of Sussex, and Britain’s Prince Harry (R), Duke of Sussex arrive at the State Governor House in Lagos on May 12, 2024 as they visit Nigeria as part of celebrations of the Invictus Games anniversary. (Photo by KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty Images)

Now with their hands securely clasped once again, Harry seemed to cool down. “We can see him rubbing her thumb with his in a ‘secret’ tie sign of affection and their fingers are meshed to intensify the signal of bonding,” James said.

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Following their moment next to the podium, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex took turns signing the visitors’ book.

“Once they have each signed the book it’s Meghan again in charge of steerage and what looks like control, holding Harry by the wrist this time in a rather maternal style of touch ritual,” James concluded.

And while some might find their PDA excessive, as we know many couples can go without having to hold hands all the time, we understand that the two were only looking at each other for support. After all, this was not only their first time in Nigeria, but this trip marked the first time the did an international press trip since leaving their senior royal roles. Kudos to them for finding strength in each other throughout it all!

Before you go, click here to see Meghan Markle’s best post-royal fashion moments below!

Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle

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