Prince Harry's gestures suggest 'role confusion', says body language expert

According to a body language expert, the Duke of Sussex is hinting at having "role confusion" in his latest outing without his wife Meghan Markle. This is on the back of a scathing article by Vanity Fair about the royal couple.

Pictures have flooded social media of Prince Harry, along with firefighters and their therapy dogs from the Salinas Fire Department, as he surprised them with a visit in the aftermath of the horrific wildfires that have completely destroyed parts of California.

These snaps were shared just days after Harry and Meghan were branded as 'disaster tourists' for supporting victims of the wildfires, reports the Mirror. This has also coincided with a condemning article published by Vanity Fair, which includes sources claiming that Harry is out of his depth in fame-hungry Hollywood and that he would "happily work for charities for the rest of his life and would be very happy if Meghan made all the money and he didn't need to.

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"I think he probably wants to be left alone and be able to go kiss babies every once in a while but not have to worry about money."

Looking at the snaps from his outing with Meghan, body language expert Judi James has said that the Duke is showing his confusion about this actual status. In the photos, Harry, who is dressed casually in a black zip-up jacket and black trousers, is seen to be standing alongside several firefighters and support dogs, while in others he can be seen tenderly stroking the four-legged heroes.

Judi explained to the Mirror: "The visit has all the hallmarks of a royal one as it's claimed he has been there boosting morale, which is not something a normal citizen of Montecito or your average celebrity would be expected to do. He's not in celebrity mode, either, with his very understated casual clothing and his tempered smiles to the camera.

"But this image wouldn't fit the royal profile either, which would tend to be smarter dress and some more enthusiastic-looking poses for photos. Instead, Harry stands at the back and the end of the line for the group photo rather than posing in the middle to show full engagement. He's splayed his legs but stuffed his hands into his pockets hinting at a desire to hide."

She added: "His thumb-jerk is a casual gesture as he chats and although he bends to let a dog sniff the back of his hand, he's created a low-key profile here, as though maybe mindful of the criticism of his and Meghan's two other most recent appearances."

This isn't the first time since the beginning of the life-changing fires that Meghan and Harry have been seen visiting volunteers, responders and victims of the flames in LA. Earlier this month, the couple were in Pasadena Community Centre, where they were seen hugging people and speaking to emergency services.

The couple live 90 minutes away from Los Angeles in Montecito, near Santa Barbara. Meghan's Netflix show - With Love, Meghan - has been postponed until March due to the fires.

However, not all responses to their visit to the relief centre have been positive. Actress Justine Bateman slammed the couple for a "repulsive photo op" in a scathing statement on X, which said: "They are "touring the damage"? Are they politicians now? They don't live here; they are tourists. Disaster Tourists."

A source has since told Page Six that the Duke and Duchess feel the actress's comments were uncalled for: "It’s offensive to Meghan and Harry that anybody would think this is merely a photo opportunity."

The Vanity Fair article has also not shed a positive light on the couple as the allegations have shocked many over social media. The cover article is headlined 'American Hustle' and includes troubling claims about what is allegedly like to work for the couple. Meghan has also been having to strenuously deny bullying accusations made against her.

The article also includes quotes from people claiming to be neighbours of the couple in Montecito, saying that the pair are 'entitled' and 'disingenuous'. However, according to the Times, the couple have dismissed these allegations, with a source close to them describing them as 'distressing'.

Those who know the couple have pointed to comments made by actress Sharon Stone when they first moved to Montecito in 2020. She said that the pair would warmly wave to people in the street and has become a "giving, caring, participating part of our community".

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