Meghan Markle demoted to 'support role' for Prince Harry on Australia tour
Meghan Markle appeared content to allow Prince Harry to take the lead as the couple made their first appearance on their Australian tour.The Duke and Duchess of Sussex launched their four-day visit with a stop at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, posing for photographs with patients and engaging with the youngsters.Harry appeared entirely in his element as he waved to the enormous crowds gathered to greet them. The pair's visit to Australia has already drawn comparisons to the late Princess Diana. Body language expert Judi James has analysed their visit and suggested Meghan has adopted a "support" role alongside her husband.Speaking to The Express US, the expert said, "So this 'not a royal tour' is already looking like a 'royal-ish' alternative as Harry and Meghan bask in the reception from patients and fans here before performing some familiarly 'royal-ish' rituals of a walkabout and patient visits that clearly delights both the fans and themselves."The upward-facing gaze in the hospital reception shows them apparently surrounded by fans, with their body language signals and responses showing the place is full to the upper gallery.""Harry is shown as dominant here, soaking up the attention and proof of popularity with his mouth open in an expression of delight as his hand is raised in a 'hail' gesture."Meghan's pose is more submissive and clearly intended to show off their togetherness as a double act. She employs the double-handed clasp of his hand and turns her torso in towards Harry as her gaze mirrors his, along with his expression of delight."Judi added: "There is the matching, mirrored fully dip and crouch to register total attention on the children as they work through the line-up and then Harry's classic 'royal-ish' extended handshake of a patient in his bed."She subsequently suggested Meghan allowed her husband to lead proceedings during the visit."Meghan seems to be defining her role here as one of support to her husband at this earliest point in their visit," Judi revealed. "As he chats to some hosts she gazes at him adoringly, striking a dutiful pose and offering an amount of flattering eye-attention that suggests she is in a less assertive-looking role."The expert concluded: "There is a hint of performed humility here with Harry arriving and placing one hand over his heart at the keen reception. Harry is an avid user of hand gesticulation, and he uses this rather theatrical 'announcement' gesture to signal love and gratitude, letting the audience know that their affection means a lot."He and Meghan show keenness to get into the walkabout, dropping hands in a mutual ritual although later they are seen performing a little hand dance in order to retain their clasp as they change positions."
