The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stole the spotlight as they sat courtside for an NBA game over the Valentine’s Day weekend, with a body language expert decoding their PDA on the loved-up holiday
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the 75th NBA All Star Game
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the 75th NBA All Star Game(Image: Getty Images)
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped out to celebrate Valentine’s Day with courtside seats for an NBA game. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex looked loved-up as they celebrated Valentine's weekend, looking engrossed in the 75th All-Star Game in California.
Harry and Meghan held hands and smiled as they took their front-row seats, with Meghan at one point stroking her husband’s arm to get his attention as they appeared on the Jumbotron screen in the huge arena. Body language expert Judi James has analysed the couple’s outing, telling the Mirror that Meghan seemed much more comfortable with the public outing than Harry did.
Harry and Meghan stepped out for a Valentine's outing on Sunday
Harry and Meghan stepped out for a Valentine's outing on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)
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Judi said that much of Meghan’s behaviour throughout the game seemed to point to the duchess wanting to make her Valentine’s outing seem picture perfect for onlookers, both in the arena and online.
The body language expert said: “Meghan’s wide symmetric smile for the cameras and raised and rounded cheeks suggest she’s delighted by the attention and the opportunity to create her own perfectly curated set of Valentine love signals to show off her relationship with Harry.”
Judi added: “She holds his thigh in a possessive and flirty looking gesture or she clings onto his arm with both hands to register closeness, furiously rubbing his arm to alert him to the Jumbotron and urge him to join in with her smiling excitement.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex watch the game
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex watch the game(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
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While Meghan was not shy about her PDA, she was also enthralled in the action on the court, as Judi said: “Her legs are crossed toward Harry, suggesting exclusive snuggling and when they speak she leans her head close, keeping her eyes fixed on the action.”
Meghan seemed to be the picture of confidence at the game, but the same can’t be said for Harry, according to Judi James. The body language expert said that Harry seems much more interested in watching the basketball game without all the paparazzi fanfare, and seems to be humouring his wife in posing for photo opportunities.
“Harry appears less comfortable posing for the camera here,” Judi explained. “His mouth smile looks effortful and doesn’t really reach his eyes. His wide leg splay hints at confidence but maybe just a desire to enjoy watching the game.”
Harry and Meghan were seated next to Queen Latifah and her partner Eboni Nichols throughout the game, as the royal couple chatted and laughed casually with them as the game unfolded.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
Judi James said their appearance was "perfectly curated"(Image: Getty Images)
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In October last year, Harry and Meghan were seen sitting front row at another sports game, this time stepping out for the LA Dodgers baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared on the big screen in front of the sold-out crowd, and sported LA Dodgers hats in a display of support for their local team.
At the time, Judi James told the Mirror that while the Sussexes cuddled up with each other as they posed for photos with beaming smiles, they could have been “very aware” of their public image, and may have subtly tried to stage candid photos.
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