Does Meghan Markle hero-worship Kate Middleton? Body language expert Judi James thinks she might do
Body language expert Judi James reveals what Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton's body language says about them
IT's the moment we've all been waiting for - Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle's day out. But are they REALLY friends?
Yes, according to body language expert Judi James.
Examining the two Duchesses' body language, Judi said it was clear they shared an increasingly close bond - no doubt a result of the unusual situation they've found themselves in.
And it's partly thanks to Meghan Markle adopting Prince Harry's fun-loving persona.
“Kate is always very much the pitch-perfect princess in terms of her regal-but-warm-looking body language and the levels of confidence she displays at royal events," Judi said.
“Her Achilles heel was always Harry who often looked duty-bound to make her laugh or giggle and it seems from the body language here that Meghan might be adopting a similar role to try and forge a familiar and very congruent friendship with her sister-in-law.
“While Kate sits smiling as she watches the tennis, Meghan face-checks her closely in what looks a little like admiration bordering on hero-worship.
“This trait would suggest she's keen to both read and take her lead from Kate, but then it's Meghan's personal display of almost childlike excitement and a rather cheeky-looking grin that she must have mimicked from her husband that looks likely to break down any barriers and make Kate laugh.
“Meghan's raised brows, wide eyes and her clapping hand gesture shows a genuine excitement for the event and the company and when she turns her very contagious grin on Kate you can see a possible hint of some growing behind-the-scenes fun between the two women.”
Meanwhile, Meghan mirrors Kate's actions.
Judi said "Their mirroring here suggests genuine growing friendship between these Royal sisters-in-law and their excitement at being at the finals together is obvious."
The reason Judi knows the women are truly friends - not just for the camera - is because of their cheeks and eyes.
Both women are 36 - but Meghan acts a lot younger - Judi continued.
"The smiles entail rounded cheeks and eye-crinkling that lets us know they are authentic," she explained.
But she was also interested in what they did with their smiles.
"It's what each woman does with their smiles that defines them as two rather different personalities," she said.
"While Kate keeps her eye contact down or to the side, Meghan's eyes to the crowds and her dipped head and rather shy, lowered smile forms what is known as The Cute Effect, a trait of using pseudo infantile body language to lower your own status and form instant bonds of likeability," she said.
"So although these two women are the same age Kate's signals make her look more grown up than the very excited-looking Meghan."
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