Meghan made a series of emphatic romance displays with Prince Harry during her appearance (Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been the picture of love during their appearances at the Invictus Games, but their shared spotlight is set to dim abruptly.
After openly displaying affection and singing each other’s praises at the tournament, it has been confirmed that Meghan bid a sudden farewell to Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in Canada yesterday to return home to their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilbet.
The 43-year-old Duchess spent five days at the multi-sport competition, arriving in Vancouver with Harry, 40, on Friday afternoon.
Her travel plans were kept hush-hush for security reasons, but it was always intended for her to depart the event yesterday.
Meghan touches Harry’s face affectionately (Image: Humphrey Nemar/staff Photographer)
Prior to Meghan’s exit, the couple made a point of being incredibly affectionate in public – from sharing kisses in the stands to holding hands and wrapping their arms around each other in warm embraces as they weathered the cold in Whistler, Canada.
This is a stark contrast to their tour of Colombia in September 2024, when experts suggested Harry appeared “distant” and “hesitant” compared to his wife, who seemed to be “running the show”.
The Duke and Duchess then embarked on a series of solo engagements and outings – perceived as a ‘professional split’ by some experts – and consequently, were dogged by divorce rumours, something Harry later addressed.
But now the couple seem closer than ever, with Meghan being likened to a ‘cheerleader’ for her husband at his Games.
Harry and Meghan look loved up (Image: Humphrey Nemar/staff Photographer.)
Body language expert Judi James has delved into the evolving dynamic between Harry and Meghan, revealing to the Mirror that the couple seems to be projecting a “state of eternal honeymoon re-boot through a deluge of romantic statements, both verbal and non-verbal, from Meghan”.
Judi commented: “Meghan’s romance signals with her husband on this trip look like deliberate and emphatic ‘statement’ displays. They don’t veer from their normal signals of love but they do appear to suggest something of a re-brand, as though they’ve left both fans and critics to wait for too long and that she now wants to show that the Harry and Meghan romance narrative is still firmly on track.”
Judi further dissected Meghan’s behaviour, saying: “Her introduction of Harry on stage in Canada involved the kind of coy, eye-rolling, knowing asides to the audience of your average newlywed. Meghan’s coyness over a marriage of six years suggests she is still in a state of blushing swoon over her wonderful ‘husband and father to my two children’.”
The analysis didn’t stop there, as Judi pointed out an increase in Meghan’s ‘touch rituals’ during their Canadian visit. “The couple have tended to retain their signature hand clasp over the past couple of years but now Meghan is using ‘limpet’ behaviours, clinging to Harry’s arm with one hand and holding his free hand with her other.”
The couple hold hands (Image: Humphrey Nemar/staff Photographer.)
According to body language expert Judi, Meghan Markle’s adoration for Prince Harry is unmistakable and has taken on new forms since her return to the spotlight.
She remarked: “She has been resting her head on his shoulder as though on a date night and her ‘seal clapping’ at him and even her filming or photographing him suggests a born-again adoration of the man she’s already made it pretty clear that she loves.”
Additionally, the intimate gestures exchanged between the couple have caught the attention of many. Judi explained: “There is now facial touch and back of the neck strokes.
“When Harry stood to take his turn onstage during the opening ceremony, Meghan cupped his face in her hands to bestow a kiss on him, making him look like her own hero in a stadium full of actual war heroes.”
Meghan made a show of being enthusiastic (Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The expert sees these behaviors as part of a “decisive-looking re-brand” that conveys passionate admiration for Harry, with Meghan sometimes exhibiting what could be interpreted as maternal pride, sending a definite message to any “doubters and critics”.
Touching upon Meghan’s recent approach to social media, Judi commented on her shift: “Her body language during the video about the Billie Eilish merch suggested she has gone into full Insta mode, with youthful and ‘naturalistic’ displays of squealing, whispering, breathless deliveries to camera.”
Judi also highlighted the trend among celebrities like the Kardashians to showcase their romantic relationships online, a practice warmly received by fans.
She added: “It’s the newest look for influencers and the look also tends to include some idyllic references and images of their romantic relationships.
Harry and Meghan share kiss at Invictus Games opening ceremony
“The Kardashians all tend to share the state of love online when they are coupled-up, as did Mollie-May and Tommy back in the happier days. The fans adore seeing a romance, especially one like Harry and Meghan’s, that appears to be a congruent depiction of reality. The whole package is aspirational.”
The Duchess of Sussex’s latest venture, With Love, Meghan, might just gain an edge from her refreshed public persona.
Judi weighed in on the matter, stating: “Meghan’s Netflix series has the word ‘Love’ in the title and her blissful depiction of friendships, food and hosting would naturally go hand in hand with her ongoing marital love story.”
