Prince Harry’s Polo match showed ‘fun side’ from past – but Meghan Markle’s a notable absence, body language expert says
PRINCE Harry stepped out in public today for the first time since becoming a father-of-two in June, beaming as he took to the field in a charity polo match in Colorado.
The grinning Duke of Sussex was surrounded by pals including Argentine polo player and Sentebale ambassador Nacho Figueras during the match, which triggered the “fun side” from his past, according to a body language expert.
Harry has often been vocal about negative triggers in his life but this polo match “appears to trigger his relaxed and happier side as he throws himself into the sport that he has always loved” according to Judi James.
The body language expert told Fabulous: “This is Harry appearing in his own solo success story, scoring twice and helping to lift the trophy and clearly adoring the company of at least one friend from the old days.”
The dad-of-two, took to the field without his family cheering him on – with wife Meghan Markle and their kids Archie, two, and Lilibet, not seen on the sidelines.
Historically, WAGS regularly show their support at such sporting events, including Harry’s late mum Princess Diana who did so for Prince Charles, but Meghan was a “notable absence”.
This polo match appears to trigger his relaxed and happier side as he throws himself into the sport that he has always loved.
Judi James
Previously, the duchess was spotted supporting her husband at the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day in 2019 when Archie was just months old.
She was joined by Kate Middleton and Archie’s cousins George, Charlotte and Louis as Prince Harry and his brother Prince William went head to head.
“Polo WAGS are normally a huge feature of matches,” Judi continues. “And historically royal men have loved nothing more than doing manly things on horseback in their tight white jeans before their devoted women emerge in the break to tread down the divots.”
“Diana did it for Charles and Kate does it for William but sadly Meghan appears to be missing from the sidelines as her husband does his bit for the charity.”
Read our Meghan and Harry live blog for the latest updates
“Harry spent so many years playing polo in the UK with both his father and his brother William and this charity match does seem to have sparked that same sense of fun and team dynamic that he clearly enjoyed in the past,” she adds.
“Everything about Harry’s body language here suggests he is having the best time and most of his rituals are active rather than passive, meaning he is putting even more effort and energy into the poses than the other people he is with.”
Nacho Figueras shared a snap of himself and Harry on Instagram, praising his longtime pal.
Judi pointed out that the duo’s strong friendships is evident in their body language, with Harry’s cheeky expression demonstrating “genuine happiness” rather than a “performed social smile for the camera.”
She said: “The photo with his pal Figueras illustrates this keenness to emphasise and even ‘upgrade’ the friendship. While Figueras has one hand up near Harry’s shoulder and a polite smile on his face, Harry’s hand gesture on his shoulder involves a tight clasp with the fingers digging in, which is a much more emphatic signal of strong friendship.”
Harry spent so many years playing polo in the UK with both his father and his brother William and this charity match does seem to have sparked that same sense of fun and team dynamic that he clearly enjoyed in the past.
Judi James
Meanwhile, hugging rituals look important to Harry, according to Judi, with the prince seen hugging team mates in celebration while on horseback.
The Duke of Sussex competed in the Sentebale polo match in Colorado on Friday after donating £1.1million from the proceeds of his upcoming memoirs to the charity he co-founded.
And today’s polo cup raised $3.5 million (£2.5million) for the charity.
It is the first time Harry has ventured out for a public appearance since Lilibet’s birth on June 4, as the 36-year-old has been on paternity leave up until now.
However, the prince has remained busy – starring in his wife’s 40th birthday video and revealing news of his upcoming memoir.
Harry set up Sentebale in memory of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, in Lesotho in 2006 to help vulnerable children in southern Africa affected by extreme poverty, inequality, and the HIV/Aids epidemic.
The Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup was postponed last year because of the pandemic.
Harry said he was “thrilled” to be supporting Sentebale in person and his donation was one of several he planned to make to charitable organisations.
Most read in Celebrity
It comes just a day after Scobie, the preferred reporter of the Sussexes – who co-authored their biography Finding Freedom , said the couple are about to enter a new era of visibility.
Meanwhile, a royal author accused Harry and Meghan of being “desperate to be on the front pages at every opportunity”.
Plus Meghan Markle reveals repeated ‘gratuitous’ request in Suits which caused her to put her foot down.