The Duke of Sussex has stepped out in London this afternoon.
Prince Harry stepped out in London this afternoon (Image: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
Prince Harry has shown some “wariness” on day one of his UK return as he arrived for his first official engagement, an expert has said. The Duke of Sussex, who landed in the UK yesterday, arrived at Chatham House on Tuesday afternoon moments before it was announced that each of his claims have been dismissed by the High Court.
The prince appeared to be all smiles as he arrived at the 14th Invictus Games Foundation Conversation: From Policy to Practice event. The event will bring together leading experts, policymakers and members of the Invictus community to discuss issues affecting wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans. At the event, Harry will meet a number of people, including the UK minister for veterans and people, Calvin Bailey.
While the Duke was quick to smile and wave to the cameras when he stepped out of his car today, accompanied by a security guard, body language expert Judi James said she thinks the prince was putting on a “brave” face. It was revealed on Tuesday that the Duke has lost his claim against the publisher of the Daily Mail, Associated Newspapers Ltd. The prince, alongside other claimants, accused the publisher of publishing stories with information gathered from unlawful information gathering.
A trial began in January, with a ruling being made today. In the ruling, Mr Justice Nicklin said that all the claims against Associated Newspapers Ltd had been dismissed.
Speaking about Harry’s “wary” appearance today, Judi told the Daily Express: “Prince Harry greets the UK press and public here like a man with the expectation of popularity and support.
“It is a wary-looking body language performance, but when his eyes hit the cameras, or he turns to wave, his facial expression suggests he is greeting friends.
“As he gets from the car for the short walk to the entrance, his shoulders are hunched, and his head is lowered, suggesting wariness.”
Prince Harry gave fans a quick wave (Image: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
She continued: “His part open mouth suggests some tension here and when he does first smile it’s a closed-lip ‘suffering’ smile that we usually see when someone is wanting to show a stoic and even brave approach.”
“His right hand is raised high for his ‘hail’ wave though, and it is this wave plus his other smile to the crowds or press that seem to form an ‘aside’ aimed at a friendly audience.
“Harry jogs up the steps as though unkeen to linger and his hands held near his waist suggest some inner tension as they form a partial barrier. But his ‘over-the-shoulder’ smile looks created for fans. His eyes are crinkled now in an eye smile and his mouth smile is a more natural, friendly one.”
Harry is set to spend the week in the UK carrying out public and private engagements.
He has not been joined by his wife, Meghan Markle, today, or their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
