Expert claims to spot moment Meghan Markle’s red carpet body language changed

Hunger Games premiere – 2013 

Meghan was in London for the occasion and wore a black long sleeve mini dress with a ruffle hem, and strappy heels.

Judi said: “This seems to be Meghan pretending to be someone she is not in a bid to fit into the kind of work roles she was getting. It’s a million miles away from the confident campaigner for issues like women’s rights etc.

“Her mouth smile looks forced, as though she’s not enjoying the experience at all, and the hand on her hip is awkwardly placed, suggesting inexperience. Her legs are crossed at the ankle which is a self-diminishing ritual often based on a desire to look cute and vulnerable to avoid criticism or attack. Her knees are pulled back, suggesting inner tension.”

Elle’s Women in Television Celebration – 2013 

For the magazine’s red carpet, Meghan chose a strapless burgundy midi dress and Judi said her pose for the camera was “much more elegant and more fluid suggesting she now gets the look required and that her feelings of power and confidence are on the increase”.

She added: “Her left arm is dropped at the shoulder and the wrist is bent at the correct angle to work the gesture as a model would do. Her gaze at the camera is direct and confident and her features form a symmetric smile.

“The model theme extends to the legs and pelvis, with a beauty queen style bend of the leg and pelvis tilt to flatter the body shape.”

MuchMusic Video Awards – 2013 

A few months later, Meghan arrived on the red carpet in Toronto, and the body language expert noted how “Meghan seemed to be going through more of a glamour phase here. Her back is arched which raises her breasts and her legs are splayed”.

NBCUniversal Summer Press Day – 2015 

As well as posing alongside her Suits co-stars, Meghan had several solo photographs taken. She wore white wide-leg trousers and a white T-shirt for the event.

Judi said: “It’s the glamour look again but the pose seems to make her uncomfortable, as though her heart isn’t in it.

“The back is arched again to push her chest out and her gleaming smile looks unconvincing while that thumb hanging from the pocket looks less than casual.”

Premiere of Suits season 5 – 2015 

For the premiere of the fifth season of Suits, Meghan wore a black roll-neck dress and her hair in a messy updo.

Judi looked at the photographs and said: “Meghan has upgraded to more of a celebrity look here, with a classic looking-back-over-the-shoulder glance that A-listers often use on the red carpet to look elegantly sexy.”

She had used the same pose the night before for Elle’s annual Women in Television Dinner.

The Lion King Premiere – 2019 

The next time Meghan was seen on a red carpet was alongside Prince Harry when they attended The Lion King premiere in London. The couple always walked hand in hand and interacted with guests together.

Judi commented: “There is a whole new version of Meghan here as she clings to Harry’s hand and pushes in behind his arm while using her bag as a small barrier gesture. Her shrugged shoulders hint at shyness but her happy smile is the most congruent yet.”

Salute to Freedom Gala – 2021 

The couple’s first red carpet appearance after stepping back as senior working royals was in New York in 2021.

Meghan chose a bold red Carolina Hererra dress and had her hair swept into a chic bun.

Judi commented: “Meghan’s consummate A-list celebrity look, in a show-stopping red ball gown ensuring she gets all the red carpet attention and some confident and comfortable body language to go with it.”

Invictus Games One Year to Go – 2022 

In September last year, Meghan and Harry arrived in Dusseldorf, Germany for the One Year To Go event. Whilst the couple did walk hand in hand, there were several times they broke their handhold to interact with others.

For the official photographs, Judi noted: “This is the fully-formed, confident campaigner Meghan pose, making her look on top of her game in the career she loves. Upright and with a symmetric smile, she looks confident and fearless, with no pandering to sexy or cute posing rituals.”

Ripple of Hope Gala – 2022 

In December last year, Meghan and Harry arrived at the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala in New York.

There were several group photos and couple photos, and Judi said: “Meghan’s pose still changes when she is with Harry on the red carpet. Here she clings with both hands and even crosses her legs at the feet again to let us know she’s still slightly out of her comfort zone.”

Women of Vision Awards – 2023 

The next time the couple were in NYC was for the Ms Foundation Women of Vision Awards, and they were joined by Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland. Meghan had several solo photographs as well as group photographs taken.

When “posing alone” Meghan “ looked on top of her game”, Judi said, noting her “a symmetric smile and a gleaming, excited eye expression suggesting confidence”.

Wearing a gold strapless dress, Meghan’s pose was “a more regal look, with her hands touching lightly in front of her torso”.

“With Harry though she becomes more ‘celebrity power couple’, even deflecting attention away from herself and towards him by gazing up at him adoringly,” Judi added.