30 November 2023 , 11:04
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Prince Harry seemed to be "openly irritated" when he was asked about allegations of racism within the Royal Family, according to a body language expert.
The Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan Markle sent shockwaves across the world when they alleged an unnamed member of The Firm had raised "concerns" over how dark their son's skin colour would be while Meghan was pregnant with him. The accusation was made during an interview with Oprah Winfrey, which was watched by almost 50 million people.
However, Harry later seemed to make a U-turn on the initial allegation and denied that he or his wife had ever accused his family of racism. Instead, he drew a distinction between explicit racism and unconscious bias.
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Prince Harry spoke out about the allegations (ITV)Speaking to ITV's Tom Brady, Harry said that having grown up in the House of Windsor, he would accuse his family of unconscious bias, but not of being racist. However, he also noted that once a bias is challenged and pointed out - if the behaviour in question continues then it could be defined as racist.
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Body language expert Judi James said he seemed angry to have to explain what he and Meghan meant. "Harry's body language during this brief section of the interview signals emphatic firmness and some open irritation," she told The Mirror.
Judi continued: "Told 'You accused the royal family of racism' his response is instantaneous and unequivocal, suggesting this is a claim he has heard before and planned to answer. He doesn't even wait for the full question, his head begins to shake in denial as the first two letters of the word 'racism' are out of the interviewer's mouth."
The Duke of Sussex spoke to Tom Brady (ITV)Judi said Harry seemed to want to move on from the topic. She explained: "He sustains eye contact and performs an emphatic mouth clamp with the lips pulled down at the corners as though implying 'end of.' He then adds a verbal 'no' and his expression changes to a smug-looking, mirthless smile that implies clever, superior thinking or points in a debate.
"'It was the British press that said that.' is what he seems to see as his chef's kiss and he performs a long, cut-off blink and mouth clamp." She then said he seemed to get even angrier as his wife was mentioned.
"Harry's head juts to the left as he asks 'Did Meghan ever mention about the racist/s/ism?' His blink rate increases in what looks like irritation or anger," Judi said. "He is questioned about 'Troubling comments about skin colour' and nods in agreement, but asked if he would describe that as racist he says 'I wouldn't', shaking his head and doing a mouth shrug of denial."