Meghan Markle was ᴀᴄᴄᴜsᴇᴅ of giving Prince Harry a “icy” look during a recent interview, and a royal expert revealed the surprising explanation for the glare. See five telling photographs of the Duchess’ behavior, which social media commenters described as “controlling.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ended their three-year joint interview sabbatical in August 2024 with a riveting appearance on “Sunday Morning,” when they announced a fascinating and relevant new endeavor.
However, Markle’s body language toward her husband drew the public’s notice. Five striking images depict the Duchess’s icy demeanor, which a royal expert stated was intended to convey a disturbing message.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Recent Interview After 3 Years
In 2024, Markle and Prince Harry’s Archewell Foundation launched The Parents Network, a breakthrough program that will serve as a cornerstone of their ongoing efforts to promote mental health and internet safety.
This project was created to assist parents whose children have been afflicted by online bullying. The Parents Network aims to provide tools, support, and a sense of community to individuals dealing with the traumatic aftermath of cyberbullying and its catastrophic repercussions.
In early August 2024, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke with “Sunday Morning” presenter Jane Pauley on the beginning of this program, marking their first joint interview in three years.
During their conversation, the pair discussed the hazards of social media, specifically its impact on young people and the frightening rise in suicide ideation associated with online interactions.
The interview also included interviews with parents involved in the foundation’s pilot program. These parents shared heartbreaking experiences about how The Parents Network helped them heal after their children committed sᴜɪᴄɪᴅᴇ due to online bullying.
As the debate progressed, Pauley moved into more personal terrain, questioning Markle’s decision to openly discuss her own battles with sᴜɪᴄɪᴅᴀʟ ideation.
This topic was brought up during Markle’s dramatic March 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. During the interview, Markle frankly admitted that she had wanted to ᴅɪᴇ while serving as a senior member of the royal family.
Pauley opened the sensitive questioning by noting, “You had an experience that connects you to these families,” referring to Markle’s past admission of considering sᴇʟғ-ʜᴀʀᴍ.
As she spoke, the anchor saw Markle’s modest move of laying her hand on Prince Harry’s knee, which seemed to highlight the couple’s strong bond and mutual support.
Noticing this, Pauley commented, “I see you touch your husband’s hand in just the way I knew that you would be looking after each other.” This observation led Pauley to acknowledge Markle’s discomfort with the direction of the conversation, stating, “I see you’re uncomfortable with my even going there.”
Markle, in response, offered a measured and empathetic reply: “I understand why you are, though. I wasn’t expecting it, but I understand why you are. Because there is a through-line, I think.”
The Duchess of Sussex went on to discuss the necessity of being honest about personal sorrow and trauma, especially when it comes to mental health. “When you’ve been through any level of pain or trauma, I believe part of our healing journey — certainly part of mine — is being able to be really open about it,” the actress said.
“I really scraped the surface on my experience, but I do think that I would never want someone else to feel that way and I would never want someone else to be making those sort of plans and I would never want someone else to not be believed,” she continued.
Markle’s words struck a profound chord as she underlined the importance of sharing her story, not just for personal catharsis, but also as a potential lifeline for those going through similar challenges.
She added, “If me voicing what I have overcome will save someone or encourage someone in their life to really, genuinely check in on them and not assume that the appearance is good, so everything is OK, then that’s worth it. I’ll take a hit for that.”
As parents of two young children, Markle and Prince Harry were acutely aware of the risks that the digital world may present.”Our kids are young — they’re 3 and 5. They’re amazing,” Markle added, speaking fondly of her son, Prince Archie, and daughter, Princess Lilibet.
“But all you want to do as parents is protect them,” she continued. Prince Harry echoed this sentiment, highlighting the urgency of the situation. “At this point, we’ve got to the stage where almost every parent needs to be a first responder,” he said,
The Duke’s statements emphasized the need for parents to be watchful and proactive in protecting their children from online risk. Markle also advised viewers and listeners to take a profoundly personal approach when discussing online safety.
“Look at it through the lens of ‘What if it was my daughter? What if it was my son?'” she urged. “If you look at it through the lens as a parent, there’s no way to see that any other way than to try to find a solution,” Markle continued.
5 Telling Images from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Interview and Expert Insights
Following the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s interview, a royal expert provided an interesting appraisal on Meghan Markle’s demeanor. The analyst observed that Markle maintained a balance of warmth and reserve throughout the conversation, particularly with Prince Harry.
At one point, Markle’s torso was slightly turned toward her husband. Her expression expressed both attentiveness and contemplation. Markle’s gaze was fixed on Prince Harry, her expression calm yet solemn.
According to the expert, Markle “smiled beatifically” when discussing positive issues like the couple’s determination to “change for good” and their “amazing” children. Her attitude changed, however, when the Duke spoke in front of the camera.
Markle maintained a straight stance, her hands gently resting on her lap, indicating a composed demeanor. Her stare suggested she was genuinely focused on what Prince Harry was saying, but there could have been underlying tension.
The analyst stated that Markle’s expressions appeared to transmit a subtle but unmistakable message to her husband. She would occasionally “look stonily” at Prince Harry, which the expert described as an “icy, wifely stare.” Markle was spotted softly bending her head and brushing her hair back with one hand.
Her eyes were fixed on the Prince, her expression neutral. According to the expert, this type of glance suggested that Prince Harry wanted to “keep it short.” It was one that spouses worldwide might identify as a silent signal to “watch what you are saying, mister.”
Markle’s look in this shot is particularly powerful. Her gaze is intensely focused on Prince Harry. The subtle strain in her face, particularly around her eyes and mouth, was obvious.
In other pictures, Markle maintained a collected posture and controlled body language. Her expression did, however, convey a sense of detachment. Her hands remained in her lap, underlining her desire to maintain composure during the conversation.
The couple’s behavior during their meeting with grieving parents was also scrutinized. The expert reported a “brief exchange of hugs on a veranda” between the Sussexes and parents who had lost children due to online ʙᴜʟʟʏɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅʀᴜɢ-ʀᴇʟᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴅɪsᴀsᴛᴇʀs.
In addition to the royal expert’s analysis, numerous social media users reacted to Markle’s body language and demeanor toward Prince Harry throughout the interview. “It’s the only behavior even hinting at togetherness,” one individual remarked of Markle putting her hand on Prince Harry’s knee.
“I hate that claw on the knee. She does it all the time. It makes her look so controlling and not comforting. He is a grown man, he should be able to speak his mind without her constantly touching him. Makes him look weak,” another person said of the gesture.
“She’s never listened to advisors. Notice he doesn’t respond at all,” another social media user shared. A fourth stated, “Just another opportunity for the Meg to talk about herself and to get publicity, which seems to be the basis of every single thing she does.”
“The icy stare indeed, but it’s the claw on the knee, surely her advisers must advise this is cringe-worthy. Embarrassing for both of them, seriously sad and heartbreaking for the parents and children involved [sic],” another person commented in part.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s recent interview revealed more than just their new venture. Markle’s body language, particularly towards her husband, prompted extensive criticism, revealing the complexity of their public relationship.