Prince Harry attended a dinner hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in New York over the weekend and, according to a body language expert, the 40-year-old appeared to be showing signs that he is struggling with his “visible demotion” in the royal hierarchy.
While his wife, Meghan Markle, was not at the event to honor survivors of childhood violence, a number of notable people were in attendance, including Queen Mathilde of Belgium, actor Forest Whitaker, several UN agency heads and other dignitaries.
Officials from countries including Sweden, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Georgia, Canada, Iceland and Brazil were also present, as well as survivors of child abuse to discuss the important issue at Sunday’s event.
They are all in New York for the UN General Assembly, which begins Monday morning in Manhattan.
However, while one might think Prince Harry would be in his element among the royals once again, according to body language expert Judi James, the Duke of Sussex appeared to show signs that he is “struggling with his visible demotion.”
Prince Harry was pictured warmly embracing Queen Mathilde of Belgium at an event in New York on Sunday.
Body language expert Judi James noted that “while Harry and Mathilde walk in a group, it is Harry who appears to walk behind to emphasise the fact that he is no longer the only royal in the room.”
One of the photographs from the event shows King Charles’ youngest son greeting Queen Mathilde.
Describing the hug, James told FEMAIL: ‘It’s Mathilde adopting the body language cues of royal rank and status here, while Harry is showing possible signs of struggle with his visible demotion.
‘He greets the Belgian queen as if she were his family, gazing warmly into her face as he reaches out his right hand to embrace her upper arm, creating what looks like a rather sweet moment of tactile affection.’
James added that while Mathilde’s face “appears creased in a reciprocal smile,” Harry seemed more enthusiastic, “leaning towards her, he appears to maintain a more upright posture, while his right hand on Harry’s shoulder looks regally elegant and polite.”
This was not the only sign that the body language expert detected in the photographs.
She added: “While Harry and Mathilde walk in a group, it is Harry who appears to walk behind to emphasise the fact that he is no longer the only royal in the room in New York.”
Perhaps more seriously, he noticed her facial expression, which seemed somewhat unhappy.
James said: “His facial expression seems to have fallen into the ‘haunted’ look that is sadly a signature sign of Harry when he is not upbeat and cheerful.”
According to Judi James, Prince Harry appeared to have a “distressed” expression, which she said “is unfortunately a hallmark of Harry when he is not upbeat and cheerful.”
The meeting came a day after Harry attended Kevin Costner’s charity concert solo at his beachfront estate across the country in California while Meghan was said to be “ill”.
Speaking at the WHO event, master of ceremonies Will Poulter told attendees: “Violence takes many forms, both physical and psychological, and each leaves a lasting impact on those who experience it.
‘With one billion children worldwide suffering from such violence, the statistics are staggering, but they represent real lives.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that these children are protected.”
Also present were high-profile figures including Whitaker and Shudu Musida, who, along with survivors, helped draft an open letter last week demanding urgent action from world leaders to end violence against children.
Forrest Whittaker was also in attendance and is seen here chatting with Prime Minister De Croo and the Duke of Sussex.
This comes ahead of the first Global Ministerial Conference to End Violence against Children, which will take place in Colombia in November.
Signatories of the letter include Harry, Mathilde and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who was seen having a lengthy conversation with the Duke of Sussex and the actor during the event.
The Belgian royal also addressed the crowd, urging more to be done to help detained children who face corporal punishment, bullying, online violence and sexual abuse.
Other forms of violence reported by the group include gang violence, child marriage and child labour.
Meanwhile, Meghan was nowhere to be seen, after defending efforts designed to stop online bullying earlier this summer.
In August, the duchess was seen lovingly clutching her husband’s knee on the set of CBS News Sunday Morning, as she detailed how she struggled with suicidal thoughts due to the abuse she received as a working royal.
She told host Jane Pauley she hopes her candor will help young people around the world coping with similar feelings, while calling on her spouse for support.
The event was organised by the WHO and was attended by politicians including Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who appears alongside Harry in the photo. Meghan was notably absent after missing a party at actor Kevin Costner’s house due to being “sick” the day before.
“When you’ve been through any level of pain or trauma, I think part of our healing journey – certainly part of mine – is being able to be really open about it,” Markle said as Harry looked on.
‘I’ve really scratched the surface of my experience, but I don’t think I’d ever want anyone else to feel that way.
“And I would never want anyone else to make those kinds of plans,” he added. “And I would never want anyone else to not be believed.”
A source told the Mirror she missed Costner’s role at the Santa Barbara house because “she was ill and couldn’t attend.”
A-list personalities such as Jeff Bridges, Rob Lowe and Pink were in attendance.