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From the moment Prince Harry and Meghan Markle started appearing in public together, royal fans saw them do something that was rarely ever seen between royal couples before. The pair were photographed holding hands every time they were out and about, and it’s something the duke and duchess continue to do whenever they’re together these days.

But there’s also another gesture Meghan uses when she and her husband are in a social setting. Read on to find out what that is and why an expert believes the Sussexes always hold hands in public.

The reason Meghan and Prince Harry always hold hands

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry hold hands as they depart after the National Service of Thanksgiving to Celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry hold hands as they depart after the National Service of Thanksgiving to Celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II | Henry Nicholls – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Inbaal Honigman is a body language expert and celebrity psychic. She has appeared in the media for more than 20 years giving her predictions and analysis for Big Brother’s Little Brother, Elle Magazine, and talkSPORT radio, to name a few. Now, she’s giving her take on why Meghan and Harry always hold onto one another’s hands in public.

“Looking at Harry and Meghan, they are certainly in love. They haven’t been married for that many years and [are in] a very loving stage of a relationship. So their constant hand holding, cuddling, leaning on each other, are displays of affection are definitely genuine and not for the cameras,” Honigman told Express.

She added that when they’re together: “They are in sync, but not fully in sync. They are likely to argue, then make up. Their relationship isn’t fully smooth sailing, but they’re both old enough to know that every problem has a solution, and every argument can be resolved with some love and some compassion.”

The other gesture Meghan always uses with the duke shows ‘she’s in control’

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend then-Prince Charles' 70th Birthday Garden Party at Buckingham Palace
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend then-Prince Charles’ 70th Birthday Garden Party at Buckingham Palace | DOMINIC LIPINSKI/AFP via Getty Images

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 later moved into media and TV as a consultant and has been dubbed the “Human Lie Detector.” 

Stanton has also analyzed plenty of footage and photos of the prince and former Suits star. He noted that the duchess’s confidence has grown so much over the years that she uses a “power gesture” with the duke to show she’s “in control of the situation.”

Speaking on behalf of Betfair Live Casino, Stanton explained: “Meghan has grown in her levels of confidence since taking on more projects and a way of knowing this is through displaying more power gestures in public. When she’s with Harry, she will place her hand on his back, which is a tell-tale sign of feeling in control of the situation.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend an exhibition sitting volleyball match at Nigeria Unconquered
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend an exhibition sitting volleyball match in Nigeria | Emmanuel Osodi/Anadolu via Getty Images

The expert continued: “We will also see Meghan placing her left hand on someone’s upper arm while shaking their hand. That is a subtle way of building a deep rapport with someone. It reveals Meghan wants to say to them, ‘I’m just like you, and you’re just like me.’ It’s a way of coming across as relatable.

“Meghan has become very good at maintaining strong, connected eye contact — another power gesture — even with strangers. This again proves her strength in connecting with people effortlessly with rare instances of her feeling uneasy or nervous.” 

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