Harry 'flexed royal status with gesture that's clear message to Firm' - expert

23 November 2023 , 13:52

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Harry 'flexed royal status with gesture that's clear message to Firm' - expert

Prince Harry performed a telling gesture that "flexed his royal status" sending a message to the Firm, an expert has said.

Harry and wife Meghan Markle, he couple, who were on a trip to the Canadian city of Vancouver to promote the 2025 Invictus Games, watched the Vancouver Canucks beat the San Jose Sharks 3-1 from a VIP box at the Rogers Arena this week. At the beginning of the match, Harry performed the ceremonial puck drop for the game, echoing his late grandmother the Queen, who performed the same gesture in 2002, while on a tour of Canada with the late Prince Philip. After doing so, he appeared to form a 'V' sign with his index and middle finger.

Harry at the Vancouver Canucks ice hockey game (NHLI via Getty Images)

Harry performed the ceremonial puck drop (NHLI via Getty Images)

And according to body language expert Judi James, the gesture was his version of a royal wave. She told the Express: "It looks as though Harry’s body language suggests he is back in the ‘zone’ as a royal Prince here, loving his royal moment in the spotlight that mirrors his grandmother the late Queen’s puck-drop years before.

"His beaming smile as he steps out onto the rink and his own version of a royal wave, with his index finger and the next finger splayed in a V for victory sign suggest he is glorying in the once familiar form of attention and possibly happy to flex his royal status appearance in Canada as well as the US to the family Firm in the UK.

"He also got to show his sport-loving playful and rather macho side here, joking with the ice hockey players and leaping up out of his seat and doing celebratory dances when his team scored."

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Harry and Meghan Markle watched the match intently (AP)

It comes as both Harry and Meghan were all smiles as they stopped to take a picture with a young fan and his mother while on the trip to Canada. Meghan and Harry leaned in close as they posed for a snap, which was later posted to Instagram.

In the caption, the fan wrote: "And this happened today during #lunch. Super nice #couple. Welcome to #vancouverbc." The picture was re-shared by a Meghan fan page which added: "Harry, alongside @weareinvictusgames senior team members are exploring Vancouver this week. Vancouver and Whistler will host the inaugural winter-style Invictus Games in 2025, a global celebration of military veterans and the healing power of sport. Meghan has also been working including a visit to @justiceforgirls_canada yesterday!"

Fans were loving the cute picture, with one person writing: "'Super nice couple,' says everyone who meets them. Because they ARE." Another said: "Looking so happy!!!! this is lovely," while a third fan commented: "Amazing photo. Everyone looks so happy. Love it."

"Love is the greatest gift," one person gushed. A fifth fan added: "Love this picture - oozes warmth and genuine happiness. Thanks for sharing Rebecca."

Also in Vancouver, Meghan stopped by the office of Justice For Girls, a non-profit that helps youngsters in poverty. During her visit, she took part in a roundtable chat to discuss girls' and young women's leadership.

Jennifer Newton