Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s Wedding ‘More Intense, Romantic’ Than Queen Elizabeth’s, Says Body Language Expert
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry‘s 2018 nuptials were much less reserved than past royal unions. A body language expert claims their day was “more intense” and “romantic” than Queen Elizabeth’s wedding to Prince Philip.
Body language expert talks stark contrasts between Prince Harry and Queen Elizabeth’s weddings
Speaking to The Mirror, body language expert Judi James revealed that there was a stark difference between Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s wedding versus Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s nuptials. Much of the contrast had to do with the times of the day.
“It’s important to put the Queen and Philip’s body language into context on their wedding day. This was a time before women’s lib when it was still quite rare for a woman to have a job after marriage. And even rarer for a woman to hold a higher rank than her husband, as the future Queen did here, even before she ascended to the throne,” James explained.
“It was therefore important that the Queen’s body language reflect that. Keeping an appropriate sense of royal status while also showing signals of a more dutiful respect to Philip.” However, James believes Elizabeth wore a “very youthful, rather girlish smile of adoration and excitement” in her photographs.
In contrast, James claims that the queen’s grandson, Prince Harry, was able to freely share his affection toward Meghan Markle. “Harry and Meghan had fewer restrictions in terms of their body language. As a result, we saw intense and romantic eye contact as well as a slightly more tactile and modern approach.”
She believed that “Meghan looked more confident than a very nervous Harry.” However, the couple was able to demonstrate emotions which “suggested they were lost in their own world at times.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding less formal than Queen Elizabeth’s nuptials
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wed in May 2018. Although several controversies preceded the actual event, including conflicts with Kate Middleton and the sudden absence of her father, Thomas Markle, Harry and Meghan’s wedding appeared to go off without a hitch.
From a kiss on the steps of the Chapel at Windsor Castle to a raucous dance party reception, Harry and Meghan focused primarily on each other. Photographs of the couple show how deeply in love they appeared to be that spring day.
In contrast, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s wedding was much more formal and even more restrained. Because it was held shortly after World War II, this was reflected in the ceremony and celebrations.
Reportedly, Elizabeth’s lavish dress was allowed after the British government awarded her an extra 200 clothing coupons to purchase her wedding gown due to rationing in World War II. Hundreds of people from across the UK sent Elizabeth their coupons to help with the dress. However, she could not accept their offers.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s wedding was similar to Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth’s
To The Mirror, Judi James added that while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle demonstrated their affection toward each other, she observed Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s wedding to reflect the more stoic nature of Harry’s grandparents. Charles and Diana ushered in a new era of royal weddings but remained emotionally reserved.
James assessed, “Charles was, like his father, very much the more confident and dominant older male. While Diana looked young and rather sweet. Here, Charles looks at her warmly while she adds the romantic rush to the pose by leaning toward him as though in search of protection, smiling shyly and looking utterly besotted.”
“Charles and Diana were able to display signals that would have been seen as totally appropriate and romantic for the era they married in. As romantic signals go, it was idealized, but sadly, the relationship itself wasn’t behind the scenes.”
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were wed for 73 years, the longest of any British monarch. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary. King Charles and Princess Diana were married for 15 years before finalizing their divorce in 1996.
