The Duke of Sussex is on a solo visit to the UK this week

Prince Harry made a solo return to the spotlight this week as he attended the WellChild Awards in London without Meghan Markle by his side.

But according to a leading body language expert, his appearance revealed more than just confidence.

Speaking on behalf of OLBG, body language expert Darren Stanton analysed footage of the Duke of Sussex at the awards ceremony.
A body language expert noted that Harry appeared more “open” and “relaxed” without Meghan Markle by his side (Credit: Cover Images)

‘Shift’ in Prince Harry’s behaviour during WellChild Awards

Darren noted that while Harry, 40, appeared calm and self-assured during his speech at the ceremony, his body language showed signs of emotional depth, longing, and a possible desire to rebuild fractured ties with his family.

“Harry always appears deeply passionate,” Darren observed to Royal Insider. “From a non-verbal point [of view], he seems very confident. He just wants to do well here and help people.”

But the real shift, Darren noted, came from Harry’s behaviour when attending the event without his wife, Meghan.

“When Harry is with Meghan, he’s very conscious about looking after her. He wants to manage things and look out for her. A lot of his attention when he’s at events with Meghan is slightly distracted,” he explained.

“But when he’s on his own, there is such a massive shift in his internal emotion.”

This shift, he said, was reflected in Harry’s face and posture, particularly his open palm gestures, steady breathing, and the absence of nervous tics.

Darren told us: “When he’s at the podium, his hands are open, which means he’s speaking authentically from the heart, with no nerves. When he’s on his own, he doesn’t have all these balls to juggle, and he can relax.”

The Duke of Sussex is on a solo visit to the UK (Credit: Cover Images)

‘He misses his family’

One of the more telling moments in Harry’s speech came when he referenced how much had changed over the years since he first became involved with WellChild in 2007.

“Although he’s confident, there were moments of poignancy when he spoke about how much has changed,” Darren noted.

When he’s on his own, there is such a massive shift in his internal emotion.

“Deep down, he misses his family. He makes reference to family elsewhere in the speech.”

The emotional undertone was impossible to ignore, according to Darren, who believes this UK visit may serve a deeper personal purpose.

“This trip could be an opportunity for him to reconcile with the king,” Darren said. “And it sounds like he wants to do that. Deep down, there appears to be a wanting and a willingness to make things right and go back to the States, having made some headway.”

Harry’s UK visit

The WellChild Awards marked Prince Harry’s first public engagement of his visit to the UK this week.

While Meghan’s absence was noted by royal watchers, Harry’s solo performance won praise for its sincerity and ease.

He spent the evening meeting with children, families, and caregivers, and even engaged in a playful sword fight with a young award recipient.

The event also coincided with the third anniversary of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II’s death. The Duke of Sussex privately visited her final resting place at Windsor earlier on Monday.

Read more: Prince Harry branded ‘absolute gem’ for beautiful gesture to parents with seriously ill children at WellChild Awards