KEY POINTS

  • Meghan Markle's body language during her first and final visits to Westminster Abbey has changed
  • Meghan Markle became a virtual superhero during her final engagement
  • The Duchess of Sussex used to follow Kate Middleton's footsteps 

Meghan Markle’s first appearance at Westminster Abbey was compared to her last appearance that took place earlier this month.

While speaking with Express, body language expert Judi James said that so much has changed when it comes to the Duchess of Sussex’s appearance, fashion, and demeanor.

By looking at Markle’s photos from 2018, James said that it was evident that Prince Harry’s wife was taking tips from Kate Middleton because they sported a similar clutch bag. But unlike the Duchess of Cambridge, Markle carried the bag with both hands and placed it close to her body like a barrier gesture.

James said that Markle also listened intently to Prince Harry, who seemed to have given his wife some instructions to follow during the very formal royal occasion. But two years later, everything seems to have changed.

“By 2020 we have Meghan the virtual super-hero, dressed in block-color emerald and with her cape flying out behind her. This is assured, high statement power-dressing, and the way Harry’s suit has matching lining emphasizes their team values and squad goals. Meghan is visiting as a celebrity and a star in her own right rather than a fledgling member of the royal firm,” James said.

The body language expert went on to say that Markle also seemed to be far less eager to please the public compared to her early appearances with the royal family.

“Her hair is in a tight, uncompromising bun and she has dropped the cute and slightly tentative body language for the look of a confident woman who is there to protect her mate. Her pelvis is pitched forward slightly as she takes a wide stride across the cobbles and her bag arm hangs at her side rather than performing a body-cross comfort barrier," she said.

"As Harry fiddles with his jacket it now looks as though it’s Meghan muttering the motivational messages rather than the other way round and her beaming, raised-chin smile suggests the woman who looked keen and slightly anxious to be joining the royal firm back in 2018 is now feeling relieved and much more assertive to the point of victorious now that she’s leaving two years later,” James added.

Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle is pictured at the launch of the Smart Set clothing collection on Sept. 12, 2019 in London. Philip Panting