Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were all smiles as they left a ballroom in New York last night after their first public appearance together since their coronation.
Body language expert Jodi James told MailOnline the Duchess of Sussex was ‘in complete goddess mode’ after accepting a feminist award at the 50th anniversary gala for the Lady Foundation.
Meghan spoke in a “more dreamy tone than usual” and was “guiding her audience” during her speech at Manhattan’s Ziegfeld Ballroom, Ms James said.
Meghan also made a “strong” reference to her mother Doria Ragland who was in the audience at the event last night, with Ms James saying her left hand was made in a “head chopping gesture to indicate pride and a desire to stand up”.
She also said that Meghan, 41, used “verbal inflection to create empathy for her audience” while talking about being a girl and “embracing that voice”.
The Duke and Duchess smiled last night as they left the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York
Prince Harry and Meghan smile as they leave the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York last night
The couple leave the Lady’s Foundation 50th anniversary gala in New York
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex leaving a ballroom in Manhattan yesterday evening
Prince Harry and Meghan smile as they leave the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York last night
The Duchess received the Woman with a Vision award from the Dame Foundation, in recognition of her “global advocacy for the empowerment and advocacy on behalf of women and girls”.
She wore a strapless golden midi dress with scalloped pattern detailing, and her acceptance speech closed the ceremony with, “It’s never too late to start,” she said. You can be a visionary for your life… There is still a lot of work to be done.
Analyzing video clips of her speech posted online, Ms James said: ‘Dressed and styled in goddess mode, with her golden sheath dress and hair swept to one side, Meghan appears to begin this speech as a teacher, speaking sweetly and almost dreamily. More than usual, she frequently turns to her iconic hosts behind her and gestures with one hand in what feels like a gesture of respect.
Her hands are clasped in front of the lower part of her chest, and there is a quiet fluidity in her speech and movements as she looks behind her again.
Megan picks up the pace to change focus, adding more tone and energy as she addresses the audience directly.
Her eye contact with them runs in circles and her left hand appears to direct her words with a smooth wrist motion, as if she is drawing in her audience as she conveys the messages of her life.
Meghan also talked about how she’s going to eat dinner off a tray in front of the TV quiz show Jeopardy! In her younger years — something she mentioned on the Archetypes podcast last November.
Commenting, Ms James said: ‘Meghan touches her hair in a self-conscious gesture as she begins to use verbal inflection to create empathy for her audience, talking about her time as a young girl and even embracing that sound, as if she’s experiencing it.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Ms. Foundation of Vision Awards last night
The Sussex family was joined by Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, at the event last night
“She bounces on her heels and uses open gestures and a singing voice.”
Meghan also paid tribute to her mother, Ms. Ragland, when she spoke about the copies of the feminist magazine The Lady that were on their coffee table.
‘I was too young at the time to know what most of it meant,’ said the Duchess. But I also knew for my mom, dear mom, I’m so honored to be here tonight, I knew the importance of these journals was important. It wasn’t a one-off – she had a subscription.
Commenting on the moment, Ms James said: ‘There is a strong family bond from Meghan here. Speaking of diversity in the magazines, she makes great references to her mom in the audience. She refers to “My mother, my dear mother, whom I am honored to have with me tonight.”
This is not just a passing reference as she stopped her speech to glorify Doria. Her left hand is engaged in a vertical chopping gesture to indicate pride and a desire to defend, while her right hand is thrown towards where Doria is sitting.
Ms James added: “Meghan does a gentle smile and head tilt, as well as a pose and right hand gesture for which the audience applauds.”
Meghan, 41, also posed for a solo shot before making her way inside the awards ceremony
Meghan arrived in an $1,850 strapless gold dress with scalloped patterns last night.
Megan received the award from feminist activist Gloria Steinem
Meghan received the award from well-known feminist Gloria Steinem.
Yesterday’s event came ten days after the Duke took a solo trip to the monarch’s coronation in London earlier this month.
Meghan has chosen to stay at their US home in Montecito, California, with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
Last year, the couple received the NAACP President’s Award as well as the Robert F Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award, at a ceremony also held in New York.
