‘Regal’ Meghan ‘takes the lead’ while Harry ‘acts like she is the royal’ as the couple pack on the PDA and share jokes in their new Netflix series, body language expert reveals
Prince Harry acts though ‘it is Meghan Markle who is the royal’ and allows her to ‘take the lead’, a body language expert has claimed.
Harry, 40, and Meghan, 42, make a brief appearance in Netflix‘s new documentary about some of the world’s best polo players that was released on Tuesday.
The five-part series has been produced by Archewell Productions,with Harry previously sharing Polo examines the ‘grit beneath the glamour’ while showcasing ‘the true depth of the sport in a statement.
During their cameo in the fifth and final episode of Polo, the Duke of Sussex participates in a charity game for his non-profit Sentebale – with Meghan cheering for him from the sidelines.
And while ‘other polo WAGS (wives and girlfriends) tend to stay in the wings’, Meghan’s appearance ‘suggests she cuts through all the macho swagger’ and is treated with respect, according to MailOnline’s resident body language expert Judi James.
She added that this is in no small part thanks to her proud husband Prince Harry, who treats the former Suits actress like royalty while introducing Meghan to world-famous polo player Alfonso Cambiaso.
Harry also ‘pitches’ Meghan to the Argentinian polo legend by boasting that she can speak Spanish.
Body language expert Judi James noted the Duchess of Sussex exhibited something akin to ‘maternal’ pride while presenting the winner’s trophy to Prince Harry after a charity polo match, documented in the couple’s new Netflix series
They seemed to share an inside joke as Meghan presented the winner’s trophy to her husband, Ms James noted
The body language expert added that Prince Harry treated Meghan like royalty while introducing her to renowned player Alfonso Cambiaso
Ms James said: ‘Polo WAGS tend to stay in the wings, sipping mint juleps and waiting to trample the divots at half time but Meghan’s appearance in this reality-style ‘documentary’ suggests she cuts through all the macho swagger on display to receive a very regal-looking level of status and respect.
‘This is clearly aided by Harry, who suddenly steps back to allow his wife to take the lead, beaming proudly and even throwing in a few pitching lines like ‘She speaks fluent Spanish.’
‘Introducing her to an Argentinian player, Harry acts as though it is Meghan who is the royal,’ she continued.
Ms James also noted how Cambiaso ‘bows and shakes’ Meghan’s hand, ‘giggling as she leans in for a hug instead’.
She suggested: ‘The player’s body lowering and his rather nervous-sounding giggle again make Meghan look rather regal here.’
Ms James also highlighted a ‘different dimension’ of Harry and Meghan’s relationship that became evident during their interaction with Cambiaso, pointing out how the Duke ‘giggles and chuckles like a school boy’ in the presence of his wife.
She explained: ‘After chatting to the player, she extends a hand to touch Harry to bring him into the conversation and he also giggles and chuckles like a naughty schoolboy in her presence.’
Their crackling chemistry was on full display at the charity event in Florida, where the Duke’s Royal Salute team triumphed over Maseru – led by Harry’s close friend Nacho Figueras.
Harry also ‘pitched’ Meghan to the Argentinian polo legend by boasting that she can speak Spanish
Ms James also noted how Cambiaso ‘bows and shakes’ Meghan’s hand, ‘giggling as she leans in for a hug instead’
They seemed to share an inside joke as Meghan presented the winner’s trophy to her husband, with Ms James also noting that the Duchess exhibited something akin to ‘maternal’ pride.
She said: ‘As she walks across the stage, [Harry] points to his chest as though saying ‘Me?’ and she does a coy, flirty shoulder shrug in response.
‘There is a quick kiss on the mouth as he leans over the cup but it’s Meghan placing a hand on Harry’s shoulder that suggests pride and almost maternal congratulations.
The new Netflix series was released on Tuesday after it was reported bosses at the streaming company were disappointed over Harry and Meghan’s limited screentime in it.
A source told MailOnline that Netflix – who signed an $80 million deal with the couple’s Archewell Productions – expected ‘more bang for its buck’.
The new series, which hardly features Harry and Meghan, has been nicknamed ‘the Nacho show’ behind-the-scenes because it focuses primarily on lesser-known Argentinian polo player Nacho Figueras.
Harry and Meghan signed a five-year deal in 2020 for several shows, but one Hollywood producer told MailOnline: ‘What Netflix have received in return doesn’t look great. People want personal stuff.
‘Apart from their documentary series, which had the drama of them quitting the Royal Family, everything else they’ve produced has been underwhelming.
The Sussexes photographed sharing a kiss after the charity polo match
‘Any reasonable person tuning into a show about polo made by Prince Harry would expect Harry to take a starring role.
‘That he’s not is hugely disappointing for Netflix. Let’s face it, polo isn’t exactly a mainstream sport so the attraction would have been watching Harry. Without him, it’s marginal at best.
‘The Netflix deal expires next year, so the Sussexes need a big hit. This sounds like a big nothing burger.’
Another insider said: ‘For a show about a sport of Kings, polo barely features any royalty. It’s not the Harry show, it’s the Nacho show.’
Mr Figueras, 47, has been dubbed ‘the David Beckham of polo’ but one source said: ‘Nice of Harry to do his mate a favour, but Nacho speaks broken English and is just not mainstream enough to pull in the ratings.’
In a statement about Polo, Harry said: ‘This series offers audiences an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look into the passion and determination driving some of the world’s elite polo players, revealing the grit behind the glamour.
‘We’re proud to showcase the true depth and spirit of the sport – and the intensity of its high-stakes moments.’