Meghan Markle and Prince Harry perform ‘parent and child-like’ ritual as Duke is ‘reluctant’ to let go of his wife’s hand, who offers a ‘maternal touch’, claims body language expert

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry performed ‘parent and child-like’ rituals, with the Duke of Sussex ‘reluctant’ to let go of his wife’s hand during the third day of their tour of Nigeria, a body language expert has claimed.

The Duke, 39, and Duchess, 42, walked hand-in-hand as they arrived at the State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s house where they were guests of honour today.

They appeared uneasy at the idea of parting from one another, with Judi James telling FEMAIL: ‘There’s something almost parent/childlike about this body language as Harry and Meghan perform small dance-like rituals to avoid letting go of each other’s hands, even for a second.’

She added: ‘They seem to want to cling together for affection and to have a tactile link to create tie-signs i.e. small steering touches or moments of reassurance while they are out appearing in public.

‘Their hands are clasped as they arrive and Harry seems to tap the clasp against his thigh as though wanting to reassure himself. 

‘When the moment comes for Harry to walk ahead of Meghan and for them to have to break the clasp it is Harry looking so reluctant that Meghan clasps his wrist with her free hand to pull the clasp open and even then, once Harry moves ahead, he has to quickly re-grab Meghan by his left hand, as though desperately needing that level of touch.

‘We can see him rubbing her thumb with his in a ‘secret’ tie-sign of affection and their fingers are meshed to intensify the signal of bonding.’

Judi continued: ‘Once they have each signed the book it’s Meghan again in charge of steerage and what looks like control, holding Harry by the wrist this time in a rather maternal style of touch ritual.’

Today, Meghan kept her vow to ditch her neutral style for bright colours and honour her Nigerian roots as she glowed in a stunning yellow dress in Lagos. 

In her second wardrobe change of the day, Meghan dazzled in the ankle-length canary yellow dress, first seen in 2020, which she matched with a classic pair of nude slingback leather sandals.

She donned the £3,198 Carolina Herrera yellow dress in photographs shared on the couple’s social media to mark the birthday of their oldest son Archie. She also wore the frock in 2021 when she announced her pregnancy with Princess Lilibet.   

The smiling Meghan was greeted by Mr Sanwo-Olu with a kiss on the cheek.

Prince Harry appeared to be wearing the same outfit as when the couple arrived this morning.

Meghan has been wearing vibrant colours on the ‘quasi-royal’ tour in order to ‘fit in’ with Nigeria’s ‘incredible fashion’.

Yesterday, she wore a red ruffled hem midi dress by Nigerian designer Oríré while speaking at a Women in Leadership event in Abuja.

She said at the event: ‘It has been a whirlwind 24 hours since we arrived, and I very quickly got the memo that I need to wear more colour, so I can fit in with all of you and your incredible fashion!’ 

Meghan’s wardrobe for her three-day visit to Nigeria has appeared to be filled with sentimental choices – and she continued that theme with today’s outfit.

Harry and Meghan touched down in the Nigerian city earlier on Sunday after spending two days in Abuja where the couple were mobbed at a sitting volleyball match. 

Dressed in a white Carolina Herrera shirt, Meghan wore a traditional dark and light blue Nigerian skirt that had been gifted to her on Saturday during an official lunch. 

Harry sported sunglasses, a beige jacket, and a white shirt, as they shook the hands of military dignitaries who stood along the runway. 

The couple, visiting Nigeria together for the first time, stood on a red carpet and applauded and gasped as they were greeted with a traditional dance. 

In scenes reminiscent of a presidential visit, their fourteen car convoy – complete with machine guns mounted on trucks – swept from the airport to a basketball court where they met children from a local school.

On the court Harry shot a few hoops with excited kids who were part of a sporting project called Giants of Africa. 

‘What you guys are doing here at Giants of Africa is truly amazing,’ Harry said.

‘The power of sport can change lives. It brings people together and creates community and there are no barriers, which is the most important thing.’

Archewell Foundation and Giants of Africa will construct a basketball court in the capital Abuja.

After that the couple went to the Delborough Hotel for a wardrobe change before heading to the reception with Governor Babjide Sanwa-Olu.

Their visit will end on Sunday with a fundraising polo match for Nigeria Unconquered and a gala dinner before they head back to London on Monday and then onto California.

The Sussexes busy schedule today has already seen them attend the Dream Big Basketball clinic hosted by the Giant of Africa Foundation at Ilupeju Grammar School. 

The visit is primarily to promote the Invictus Games and comes after Harry met the Nigerian team and General Musa at last year’s competition in Dusseldorf, Germany. 

They arrived in Abuja on Friday for the 72-hour whistlestop tour of the country after flying in together following a secret reunion in London.

During their two-day stay in the capital city, Meghan told how she had fulfilled her dream of becoming a parent as she opened up about her ‘very chatty, sweet children’ Archie, five and Lilibet, two.

The Duchess of Sussex was speaking at a Women in Leadership event she was co-hosting with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization.

Meghan told the audience how much she loves being a mother but admitted that balancing her family and her career posed its own set of challenges.

During the talk, Meghan was asked how she juggled being a mother with her career and she replied: ‘I love being a mum.’

Despite being told more than ten years ago by her friend and mentor that she would never be able to balance the demands of motherhood and her work, the 42-year-old duchess said she enjoys being a mother and her priorities are constantly changing.

During the panel discussion, Meghan said that ‘balance’ in her life has changed over the years and looks different to ten years ago before she was married and had Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

She said: ‘What I think that to mean now is that that balance will always change for you. That balance, what seems balanced ten years ago is going to shift.’ according to Hello.

Yesterday, the Sussexes were mobbed by fans as the Duke of Sussex took part in a sitting volleyball match during their Nigeria tour.

A new Invictus Games highlights reel, released by Team Sussex, shows Harry and Meghan being followed by cameras during their three-day visit as they are met by a large cheering crowd.

The Prince, wearing a black Invictus Games branded polo shirt, denim jeans and light brown shoes, shakes the hands of his teammates as he shuffles into position on the court in front of the net.

Meghan, who turned up in an embroidered £2,275 Joanna Ortiz Tropicana Nights dress, patterned with black and white palm leaves, claps and cheers on as sits and watches intently.

The short polished montage is presented to a backdrop of high-octane music and shows the couple being surrounded by excited fans.

The outdoor volleyball match at the Officers Mess was their first official engagement on Saturday and once again the couple were the centre of attention.

Meghan was happy to pose for selfies – at one point being lost amongst the crowd – and some were even reduced to tears after meeting her.

The Sussex Squad – a group of Harry and Meghan fans – were out in force as they cheered the Duke and Duchess on their arrival just before midday.

Aptly named Royalty Ojeh, six, was chosen to present a stem of roses to Meghan who pulled one out of the bunch and handed it back to the awe-struck little girl.

As they arrived there were loud cheers from a group of fans holding up placards reading ’43 % Nigerian’ in a nod to Meghan’s recent admission of her west African heritage.

Others jokingly said ‘Harry you owe us dowry’ with London based Michela Rituc explaining;’ It’s traditional for dowry and Meghan is Nigerian so he owes us.

They later attended a lunch with the Nigerian defence minister where they stood for God Save The King. 

Guests at the lunch were able to choose from five different menus including special fried rice, fish fillet sauce and jollof rice.

There was cow offal with ofada sauce or if you they were reluctant to try the traditional Nigerian menu they could opt for spaghetti bolognese or grilled chicken.

A dance troupe entertained guests with music and rhythmic drumming with Harry and Meghan tapping and swaying to the beat.

A giant poster on the stage was perhaps not the best choice as it featured a rather stern looking Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

During the lunch Abike Dabiri-Erewa of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission gave a warm tribute to Meghan and her west African heritage.