Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton‘s ‘rift’ was clear to see from previous outings at Wimbledon, according to a body language expert.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have distanced themselves from the Royal Family in recent years, publicly voicing their thoughts in a number of explosive chats and revelations.
But it appears the cracks in the fractured relationship with the family were visible as far back as five years ago between Meghan and her sister-in-law Kate Middleton.
That’s the opinion of body language expert Judi James who says there were signs of a ‘rift’ between Meghan and Kate at the 2018 and 2019 Wimbledon tournament.
Meghan previously admitted the Duchess of Cambridge made her cry in the build up to her wedding day, but told Oprah Winfrey she had ‘forgiven her’.
It’s clear the duo won’t be next to each other at this year’s tennis tournament, but Judi claimed the pair’s tense relationship was starting to come through a number of years ago.
‘If you compare the body language of Kate and Meghan at Wimbledon in 2018 and 2019 it looks as though their relationship is ageing backwards,’ she said.
‘In 2018 they looked more comfortable with each other, their outfits were synchronised and they seemed to be having the kind of fun you might have with a long-term friend, sitting close or angled in toward each other and even giggling using accelerated intimacy signals like whispering together behind their hands.
‘By 2019 though they were no longer trying to signal sister-in-law friendship, they were trying to disprove rumours of a rift, which always puts pressure on any body language performance.
‘Their body language signals looked polite but not endorsed by any signs of relaxed fun or the kind of tie-signs that hint at a deeper, more relaxed level of friendship.
‘Their smiles looked forced and in many ways they looked as though they had just met.’
Judi continued to say the lack of co-ordination of their 2019 outfits showed they weren’t quite on the same page and she said their ‘smiles appeared to take effort’.
‘Meghan’s cheeks looked over-lifted and rounded while her mouth smile looked tense,’ she continued.
‘Kate would normally present a more carefree version of herself at Wimbledon, throwing some of her royal body language to one side and becoming a keen, excited punter like everyone else but she looked much more formal here.’
And Judi explained how Meghan suggested ‘feelings of vulnerability’ with one hand placed close to her neck at one point.
Despite the issues with members of the family, Harry and Meghan continue to put on a united front with each other.
They were spotted holding hands and laughing while leaving an office block in Santa Barbara, California, close to their home in Montecito.
It comes just days after it was confirmed they have finally vacated their former UK home, Frogmore Cottage.
