Prince William reportedly positioned himself as a buffer between his spouse, Kate Middleton, and Meghan Markle to avoid “friction” between the pair, according to a body language specialist.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain locked in a continuing feud with the Royal Family, especially the Prince and Princess of Wales, with both sides maintaining radio silence.
Yet this wasn’t always the situation, as the quartet appeared to enjoy harmonious relations when Meghan initially encountered them in 2017.
Twelve months later, following the Sussexes’ wedding, the group earned the nickname “Fab Four” as they undertook joint official duties.
Nevertheless, during one particular engagement in 2018, a Royal analyst identified a “tense and awkward” exchange between Meghan and Kate, occurring two years prior to the Sussexes’ departure from the Firm and before any discord became public knowledge, reports the Express.
The specific engagement took place during a ceremony at Westminster Abbey commemorating the centenary of the Royal Air Force.
Over 2,200 attendees gathered for the service inside the Abbey, where Royal Family members encountered 8 veterans, service personnel, and additional civil service representatives.
The occasion culminated with a remarkable flypast featuring 100 aircraft.
The Sussexes and the Waleses made their joint arrival at Westminster Abbey before proceeding inside to welcome various dignitaries. As Meghan Markle joined Kate Middleton, who was engaged in conversation with the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Prince William strategically positioned himself between them.
This move has been interpreted by a body language expert as a “human shield” gesture.
Body language specialist Judi James shared with the Mail: “Superficially, and with the benefit of hindsight, now that we know about the tricky relationship between Meghan and Kate, this looks very much like a devoted and protective husband strategically and very pointedly stepping between his wife and her nemesis in the form of a human shield.
“William’s body language shows he is clearly aware that Harry and Meghan have honed into position behind him and he immediately ducks his head to move to stand next to his wife, even sucking his lips inward in what is often a signal of regret.”
However, James also suggested that this could have been a supportive gesture from the Prince of Wales, aiming to make his sister-in-law feel more welcome.
She elaborated: “There is a spatial gap between William and Meghan that doesn’t really show at this angle.
“When the royals greet their hosts at services like this, there is something of a royal queue with gaps that can turn into a log jam if a royal keeps chatting, as Kate often can. Meghan was new to the royal Firm and William’s body language to this point had shown him being friendly and welcoming.
“This movement and change of position could be the kind of adjustment you make to the position of a group at a party when someone new comes to join in.”
She continued: “It is rude to keep your back to the newcomer as it is a sign of rejection. So, we often shuffle to ensure we encompass the new arrival. Meghan would not have been allowed to join William and Kate here as the pecking order is firm, but it would be completely conceivable for a very polite William to move in to place to ensure his back is not turned against her as she arrived behind him.
“It is conceivable that William was trying to be polite to Meghan here, although it is also equally conceivable that he might turn himself into something of a buffer between the two women as he did so if he was aware of any friction.”