…Researched and contributed by Lola Smith.
A body language expert has claimed that Meghan Markle is “laughing in delight” while Kate Middleton has been “downgraded” in a photograph selected by King Charles as part of the official souvenir programme to accompany the Coronation.
The portrait, which was taken at the gardens at Clarence House by royal photographer Chris Jackson to mark King Charles’s 70th birthday in 2018, includes Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Prince William, Kate, and other family members.
Body language expert Judi James analyzed the photo and observed that Kate Middleton appeared stripped of her current status as the stand-out star of the Firm, as she stood to the side of the pose and looked outward.
In contrast, Meghan Markle, bending forward and laughing in delight, caught the eye, sharing the happy moment with Camilla and Charlotte in a very active and relaxed-looking way.
James added that the pose suggested warmth and a desire to get involved as part of the family.
The expert believes that the choice of a pose that depicts the royals as one fond, loving, and closely-bonded family group is so distant from current reality that it suggests that Charles is either a fan of historical air-brushing and photo-shopping, sweeping all the splits, rifts, and bitterness under the carpet or keen to show the Sussexes are welcome back into the fold, with an added hint that maybe life wasn’t so bad for them here after all.
The selection of Meghan Markle’s photo for the souvenir program is being seen as an olive branch to Prince Harry and Meghan, despite the fact that the Duchess of Sussex has chosen not to attend the historic event.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Prince Harry will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on his own while the Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s charitable foundation, Archewell, issued a nearly identical statement to Buckingham Palace confirming the Duke of Sussex’s attendance at the Coronation ceremony.