They looked the picture of happiness as they announced their engagement on Monday.
And Prince Harry and Meghan Markle put on yet another tactile display as they stepped out for their first public engagement together in Nottingham today.
Body language expert Judi James says Harry, 33, and Meghan, 36, differ from previous royal couples because they appear to be presenting themselves as a ‘unit’.
With both Charles and Diana, and William and Kate, she notes the men have been ‘eclipsed’ by their partners, instead taking a ‘back seat’.
Judi, author of The Body Language Bible, says that Harry and Meghan are also a lot more tactile than other royal couples.
In fact, she points to six signs that show the couple are already very confident in their public role together, as well as their obvious love for each other.
1. Tactile display
Harry and Meghan put on a very tactile display as they arrived in Nottingham today
Harry and Meghan were seen holding hands as they arrived in Nottingham, as they did when they appeared together outside Kensington Palace following their engagement announcement on Monday.
Judi notes that their very touch-feely display shows how clearly in love the couple are, despite previous royal couples not being so tactile in public.
‘It’s a very natural behaviour that’s uncommon in the royal family,’ she explained. ‘They’re using touch to show that they’re in love and they can show that to each other.’
She added: ‘It seems to be announcement sign that are a lot more relaxed and easy-going as a couple.’
2. The arm hold
Harry and Meghan were seen with their arms around one another numerous times
The couple were seen with their arms around one another numerous times as they conducted the walkabout in Nottingham.
Judi says this seems to be their signature sign of togetherness, and appears to be something they do when not in public.
‘The natural way they do this suggests that it is something they do quite regularly away from the cameras,’ she says.
3. Reciprocal signs of affection
The couple were seen making reciprocal signs of affection, which Judi says shows how well they work together as a team
Harry and Meghan were seen frequently patting each other on the back and touching one and another’s arm as they greeted crowds.
Judi suggests this a sign of how well they pair work together as a team. ‘There’s a silent choreography going on between them,’ she explains.
‘They are using these powerful tie signs, touching each other all the time. They’ve got a natural togetherness.’
4. Hand on heart
Harry rested his hand on his chest, which is a symbol of his love for Meghan, Judi says
Harry was seen with his hand on his chest as he walked with his arm around Meghan, which Judi says is a sign of his love for her.
She explains that this differs from when he pats his stomach, which he did on Monday, which is often a sign of his anxiety.
‘When he keeps it a chest level, that’s more of an old fashioned love symbol,’ Judi says. ‘That’s not an anxiety gesture.’
5. Meghan standing apart
Meghan was seen working apart from Harry, as well as together, showing her confidence
Meghan was seen greeting well-wishers separately from Harry during her first walkabout, as well together.
Judi says that this is a sign of her enormous confidence, as well as the prince’s faith in her.
‘There was none of the anxiety that you could see with Diana and Kate,’ she says.
She added: ‘Harry’s not telling her what to do, he’s not giving her anxious glances. He works with her and works apart.’
6. Maternal touch
Meghan was seen touching Harry’s arm on numerous occasions during the walkabout
While there was more of an even balance between Meghan and Harry in terms of confidence levels, Judi noticed there was something rather ‘maternal’ about the actress’s body language.
She said that her touching his arm and patting his back could be seen as ‘signs of reassurance’ to the prince.
The body language expert says that this is similar to when Meghan was seen putting a protective arm around Harry during the photocall outside Kensington Palace on Monday.