Meghan Markle reportedly has a habit of touching her hair during some public appearances and engagements. But, a body language expert is said to have claimed that it is more of a telltale sign that she is using the gesture to calm herself.
Cheat Sheet recently unearthed reports tackling the matter involving the former working royal. It noted in its piece that royal watchers seemingly first noticed the gesture in question during the official engagement announcement with Prince Harry in 2017.
Citing a previous report from MailOnline, the publication said body language expert Elizabeth Kuhnke shared an insight into the hair-touching habit of the Duchess of Sussex. At the time, she is said to have claimed that the former actress likely calms herself under pressure using the gesture.
Cheat Sheet, in its piece published Tuesday, quoted Kuhnke from the previous report, stating, “It’s a physical and psychological calming gesture when feeling uncomfortable or stressed.”
It continues, “It’s the adult version of a child clutching a favorite toy, mother’s skirt or father’s hand when feeling anxious and not knowing what to do or say.”
Another body language appeared to have similar claims about the hair-touching gestures of Meghan Markle.
Weeks prior to the initial report from MailOnline, expert Blanca Cobb spoke to Good Housekeeping and shared her thoughts about the matter. She told the outlet at the time that touching hair, playing with fingernails, or rubbing arms are some of the things some individuals use to “psychologically and physiologically calm themselves,” especially in stressful and uncomfortable situations.
The expert, who authored “Method of the Masters,” continued that others might even “touch, twirl or stroke their hair” when they are in “awkward social situations.”
Reportedly, such behavior is the grown-up version of sucking a pacifier or clenching a teddy bear.
Cobb also explained to the publication that “context is key” when determining whether a gesture is a habit or a non-verbal tell, and in the case of Meghan Markle, she stated that the personality's "hair touch is a soothing gesture."
In a more recent analysis of Meghan Markle’s body language, though, a different expert claimed that she appeared to have “grown in confidence” based on her solo appearances in the last few months.
Hello! Magazine reported that the claims were from Darren Stanton, who spoke to “Slingo” about the matter following the Duchess of Sussex’s engagement with Variety in October.
The body language pro reportedly stated that the former working royal seemingly “comes into her own when she is alone,” adding that the confidence is apparent, “especially during solo appearances with the media.”
Stanton is said to have clarified, however, that he was not saying the former actress “doesn’t exude confidence with Harry.” It is just that she reportedly looks “more comfortable in her own skin when appearing by herself on screen.”