Prince Harry’s telling gestures on UK return show he’s slipping back to royal role – expert

Prince Harry’s telling gestures saw him slip back and adopt a royal role as he attended a poignant event in the UK tonight, according to an expert.

Harry paid tribute to the children and teenagers as he attended the WellChild Awards, which honours youngsters who act as carers, fundraisers or just carry on with life as they cope with debilitating conditions. His brief trip to the UK comes as relations with his brother, Prince William remained strained, and despite travelling thousands of miles from California it is unlikely the duke visited William or his father King Charles, who is receiving treatment for cancer.

Harry appeared upbeat and relaxed for the evening presentation, and before the ceremony began was upstaged by a boisterous seven-year-old, Noah Nicholson, who threw his toys on the floor and delighted in Harry picking them up. And as he swept into the venue as arrived for the ceremony, body language expert Judi James said he appeared to adopt a regal pose. She told the Mirror: “With a large ‘Oh’ of happy recognition and anticipation, Harry looks relaxed and delighted on this UK visit, arriving using the kind of pace and intentional gestures to suggest keenness and authentic pleasure.

“He strides into the room, smoothing his tie once with his hand in contrast with the constant and very anxious-looking tie-smoothing and yanking he was seen performing in New York last week. The royal role seems to suit him here and he leans into some very animated handshakes, looking eager to engage his hosts in friendly conversation.

“Posing in a line he adopts a royal body language look with his hands clasped in front of his torso, and the way he sustains and even re-boots an eye and mouth smile while being photographed shows he is keen to show his happiness here to the world.