Prince Harry may have indicated that he is prepared to reconcile with the UK royal family, a body language expert has said.
Judi James spotted the gesture during the Duke of Sussex’s interview on ABC News show Good Morning America, his first media chat since King Charles’s cancer diagnosis became public knowledge.
The prince, who was speaking in Canada where he has been promoting his forthcoming Invictus Games, told host Will Reeve that he hopes his dad’s diagnosis can help mend their relationship.
His comments follow his 26-hour visit to London last week after Buckingham Palace made the news known and said His Majesty had postponed his public duties on advice from doctors.
‘Harry’s one key gesture that he used emphatically here was a raising of both cupped hands to chest level and a “pushing” movement to suggest a strong desire for unity and the kind of protection a close family can provide,’ Judi said.
‘Harry is a man who likes to use illustrative gestures to make his point and this one looked like a clear desire to bring people together.
‘When he told Will Reeve “I have my own family” though, there was a hint of defiance in the shrug that came with it.
‘Harry was also very clear to say “I love every single day” of his life in the US.
‘The message might have sounded cheesy but it was the point when he used the most active eye contact.’
The prince, 39, flew to the UK without his wife Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, less than 24 hours after the announcement about His Majesty’s diagnosis was made public by Buckingham Palace.
He is said to have met with his dad, who has begun treatment, for less than an hour on February 6 before flying out the next day from Heathrow.
‘I jumped on a plane and went to go see him as soon as I could,’ the prince told Reeve.
‘Look, I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that.’
But Judi still detected awkwardness in the prince, who along with the duchess split ways with Buckingham Palace in 2020 as they stopped being ‘working royals’ and moved to California.
‘Harry’s emotions still look complex,’ she said.
‘Asked about his visit to his father his pause and “err” and his eye cut-off suggested some awkwardness. His “I love my family” was delivered with four shoulder shrugs and a shaking of the head.
‘He looked happier throwing a hand out to refer to families in general.’
The prince’s latest media appearance follows the quiet launch of the couple’s Sussex.com website, which made world headlines earlier this week.
A representative defended the new online berth, which appeared to align them more closely to the British royal image and attracted criticism that they were ‘trying to have it both ways’.
The person told the The Mirror: ‘We have heard time and time again that certain opportunities are make or break for the couple.
‘They’re still here. They’re still working and pursuing what they believe in, despite constantly being challenged and criticised.
‘This couple will not be broken.’
The prince spoke while in Whistler, British Columbia, where his Paralympic-style competition for wounded service members, the Invictus Games, is due to be held next year.
In the interview released today, the duke also touched on his planned future trips to the UK.
‘I have my own family, as we all do,’ he said. ‘So my family, and my life in California, is as it is.
‘I’ve got other trips planned that would take me through or back to the UK so I’ll stop and see my family as much as I can.’
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