Body Language Expert Analyzes Meghan Markle’s ‘Bulletproof’ Smile: ‘When It Drops, the Impact is Dramatic’

Meghan Markle has a mega-watt smile that radiates confidence and joy, an expression one body language expert calls “bulletproof.” When the smile, slips, however, it can be very revealing, as the expert shared, “the impact is dramatic.”

Body language expert calls Meghan Markle’s smile ‘bulletproof’

Body language expert Judi James shared her analysis with Express of one of Meghan’s most stunning features — her “bulletproof” smile.

“If Meghan has moods then they only really happen behind the scenes,” James said. “As her appearance at St Paul’s proved during the jubilee, she has a smile that is both beautiful and bulletproof.”

She continued, “Not only does it look congruent and authentic on her good days, it can also mask any underlying tensions or sadness when she is suffering internally.”

James also shared her thoughts on whether Meghan is tapping into her acting skills or flashing a genuine expression. “What makes that smile look even more authentic is that it has barely changed since she was a young girl,” the expert noted. “It is not a performance applied for her royal profile: that upbeat, optimistic-looking facial expression is one she was using years ago, suggesting this is the real Meghan.”

Meghan Markle’s dropped smile is ‘dramatic’ by comparison, body language expert shares

Meghan’s smile may be “bulletproof,” but when it drops it’s also quite revealing. James said these moments look “dramatic” because they really expose another side of the Duchess of Sussex.

“The problem with such a perma-smile though is that, when it drops, the impact is dramatic,” James explained.

The expert pointed specifically to Meghan’s 2019 interview while on tour in Africa when journalist Tom Bradby asked the Duchess of Sussex about her mental health. Meghan’s facial expression was revealing as she spoke about her inability to keep a stiff upper lip as royals typically do.

“Her rather tight ‘Thank you for asking’ precedes a total alteration in her facial expression,” James explained. “Her brows rise in an ironic gesture, her mouth smile drops and her lower lip juts.”

She continued, “Her hands are stuffed into her pockets and when she speaks there is a slow, cut-off eye blink before she makes eye contact.”

James added, “There are long, reflective pauses before her mouth pulls into a faint, asymmetric smile.”

The expert also shared the “most worrying gesture” during the interview was when “the light dies in her eyes.”

James shared, “As a glimpse behind the perfect smile, Meghan could hardly have been more emphatic in the suggestion that this is how her real emotions looked than behind the social masking.”

Meghan admitted she was struggling

During the ITV documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, Meghan shared her perspective on the challenges of being a new wife and mother while being scrutinized by the media.

“Look, any woman, especially when they are pregnant, you’re really vulnerable and so that was made really challenging,” Meghan said. “And then when you have a newborn — you know. And especially as a woman, it’s a lot.”

She continued, “So you add this on top of just trying to be a new mom or trying to be a newlywed.”

Meghan added, “And, also thank you for asking, because not many people have asked if I’m OK. But it’s a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes.”

When Bradby asked, “And the answer is … would it be fair to say, not really OK, as in it’s really been a struggle?,” Meghan answered, “Yes.”