Where’s the Charm? Prince Harry Delivers Angry Speech at Event

No matter what you think of Prince Harry these days, it’s always been said that the duke is quite charming. Even in a blistering report via The Hollywood Reporter with ex-Sussex employees calling his wife, Meghan Markle, a “dictator in high heels” Harry is described as “a very, very charming person — no airs at all.” 

But Prince Charming seemed to vanish during Harry’s recent speech in which body language experts concluded he was “angry” and showed “frustration.”

Prince Harry ‘paces around stage’ while giving ‘angry’ speech

Author and body language expert Judi James gave her take on what she saw from Prince Harry when he delivered remarks at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City on Sept. 24 about the “harmful impacts” of social media, likening it to a “human experiment.”

James told The Mirror: “Harry’s body language here makes him look nervous, emotional, and at times angry about the cause he is pressing. His pacing the stage, the way he bites at his words and then sucks his lips in gives him a rather reproachful look for this very important subject matter.

“He seems to project some suppressed anger around it and delivers his message with that, rather than more easy-going charm or more animated passion. His usual signs of nervousness about making a speech are visible as he walks out on stage. He fiddles with his waistband before puffing slightly and looking down.”

The expert continued: “There is a weak smile from him at the brief applause but then he places his left arm up around his lower ribs in a very pronounced barrier gesture that looks new to his repertoire and hints at a desire to self-protect. The left hand moves into his pocket as he paces around the stage with a rather military look, as though briefing a battalion. And that could be Harry’s way of trying to motivate his audience to his cause. He looks genuinely troubled and angered by it and keen to brief the room to action, using some very tragic and poignant photos on the screen behind him.”

Another expert says the duke shifted from ‘happy-go-lucky’ and showed ‘frustration’

Darren Stanton is a body language and behavioral expert with a degree in psychology. He previously worked as a police officer and used his expertise to uncover the truth when interviewing hundreds of suspects. He also observed Harry’s demeanor on stage and believes the prince’s “passion” is why he came off the way he did.

Speaking on behalf of Betfair Live Casino, Stanton said: “With Prince Harry, we see him shift from happy-go-lucky Harry to a much more passionate and determined version when he’s speaking to the delegates. We see a very dramatic shift from when Harry is mingling with guests to when he’s on stage speaking about something he is deeply passionate about. Clear signs from Harry which show this are gestures offering a definite level of contact with the audience.

“He stares out towards the audience and makes consistent eye contact with those looking at him, which again tells them [he’s] deeply passionate … Facially we are seeing a very focused and determined set of facial expressions, with the eyes coming together and lips pierced. This could be a combination of frustration and willingness to want things to get moving as quickly as possible. He has a real determination in his facial expression as he looks out into the audience, a very fixed eye gaze, and we see him get quite red in his cheeks when he speaks about things he is passionate about.”

Showbiz Cheat Sheet acknowledges conditions and cultures can impact body language and is sensitive to all backgrounds.