When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were invited to a movie premiere in Jamaica, a seating mix-up led to a very awkward situation, which has now been decoded by a body language expert
While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are used to receiving celebrity treatment, a seating mix up at a movie premiere prompted an awkward reaction from the Sussexes, with Harry’s “lack of experience” at Hollywood events making for a cringeworthy moment – according to an expert.
Back in January 2024, Harry and Meghan were invited to the premiere screening of the Bob Marley: One Love biopic, making a surprise appearance at the glitzy event at the Carib Theatre in Jamaica.
After posing for photos on the red carpet, Harry and Meghan mingled with fans and dignitaries alike, including anti-monarchist Jamaican prime minister Andrew Holness, before making their way inside for the screening. It comes as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s new Netflix deal could cause ‘concern’ for Royal Family.
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While the Sussexes made their way to the front row to sit with the other VIPs at the event, it appears they couldn’t conceal their shock when they were asked to move a few rows back, leaving them seated in the third row.
According to body language expert Judi James, it was Harry more than Meghan who was surprised at the request to sit further from the state.
She told the Daily Mail : “While [Meghan’s] smile suggests her expression of utter graciousness was unflinching, Harry clearly hangs back, performing several gestures of reluctance, discomfort and even indecision.”
Judi analysed the rest of Harry and Meghan’s appearance at the event, noting that Meghan appeared to see it as a “full-blown Hollywood” event as they both pulled moves “A-list celebrity couples perform”.
She explained: “Meghan seemed to treat this red carpet appearance as a full-blown Hollywood one. She looked regal and gracious in her elegant ballgown and pulled the kind of moves A-list celebrity couples perform, like the romantic gesture of ownership as she places a hand on Harry’s chest.”
Judi added: “Meghan was fully in charge of the steering on the night, gently nudging Harry around and at one point pulling his hand out of his trouser pocket so that she could hold hands with him to walk into the venue.”
“Harry was showing body language signs of anxiety as they posed for their red carpet photos, but these increased and peaked once the couple were inside the venue and being ushered to their seats.”
Judi further explained Harry’s discomfort at the event as she said: “For Harry, public functions in the Royal Family have always meant top billing, the best seats in the house and preferential treatment.”
“But here there is a more unilateral look, where they were expected to take their own seats and maybe even buy their own popcorn. Harry’s lack of experience in this kind of scenario seems to show through here.”
According to Ms James, this is not the first time that the couple have appeared to view themselves as “A-listers”, as she said at the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf in September 2023, the pair presented themselves as a “celebrity power couple” during a rock star welcome.
