Meghan Markle has drawn comparisons with Princess Catherine after a body-language expert highlighted similarities in the way the Duchess of Sussex interacted with well-wishers during her recent Nottingham visit with Prince Harry. The public appearance attracted attention as the couple returned to the city for a series of community-focused visits, with Meghan's warm exchanges with members of the public becoming a talking point among royal watchers.
According to The News International, which reported comments from body-language specialist Darren Stanton, Meghan appeared confident and comfortable while engaging with people gathered to see the couple. Stanton drew particular attention to the way she bent forward to meet people's eye line, suggesting that this helped create a more personal and approachable interaction.
Stanton told Showbiz Cheat Sheet that Meghan appeared skilled at building rapport with the crowd. He explained that lowering herself slightly when speaking to someone could make the exchange feel more personal because she was meeting the individual at their level rather than looking down at them.
The expert compared this behaviour with an approach he has observed in Princess Catherine's public engagements. He suggested that Meghan had adopted a similar way of interacting with people, describing it as an effective technique for helping others feel comfortable. However, this remains his interpretation of the visible behaviour and does not establish that Meghan deliberately copied the Princess of Wales.
The comparison emerged during Harry and Meghan's joint visit to Nottingham on October 15, 2026. It was their first joint public appearance in Britain since their reported return to the UK with their children in August. The outing brought them into contact with local residents, charity workers and young people supported by community organisations.
Nottingham holds particular significance for the couple. In 2017, they visited the city shortly after announcing their engagement, making it one of their earliest public appearances together as a couple. Their return nearly nine years later offered an opportunity to reconnect with organisations and people associated with their charitable interests.
The couple began their visit at the Community Recording Studio, an organisation that helps young people develop creative skills through music, film and video production. Meghan greeted well-wishers outside the venue, accepted flowers, posed for photographs and spoke with people who had gathered to welcome them. She was also involved in activities with young participants inside the organisation.
During the visit, Meghan shared a message about confidence and self-kindness with young girls, encouraging them to treat themselves with the same consideration they would show a close friend. Her comments reflected the event's emphasis on supporting young people and creating environments in which they feel valued.
The couple also visited Himmah Hub, a community organisation working on issues including food poverty, and Epic Partners, which supports young people and families through mentoring and other programmes. The visits highlighted their continued interest in charitable projects and the organisations they have supported over time.
Stanton also commented on Meghan's facial expressions and posture during the public appearance. He described her smiles as appearing genuine and suggested that her overall demeanour conveyed confidence and engagement. Such observations can offer a perspective on how someone presents themselves in public, but body language alone cannot reliably establish a person's private feelings or intentions.
Another body-language commentator, Sean Johns, also discussed the couple's interactions during the Nottingham visit. His observations included their willingness to bend down when speaking to children gathered along the barriers. Meeting a child at eye level can make a conversation easier and more comfortable, although the meaning of any particular gesture depends on the circumstances.
Harry also attracted attention for the way he remained attentive to Meghan during their interactions with the crowd. Stanton interpreted some of his glances towards his wife as signs that he was keeping an eye on her while allowing her space to engage with members of the public. This, too, is an expert interpretation rather than confirmation of Harry's private thoughts.
The comparisons with Catherine come against the backdrop of the different public roles occupied by the two women. Catherine, as Princess of Wales and a working member of the Royal Family, regularly undertakes official engagements on behalf of the monarchy. Meghan, by contrast, stepped away from her role as a senior working royal alongside Harry in 2020 and now pursues independent charitable and commercial projects.
Although their responsibilities differ, both women have experience meeting members of the public during highly visible appearances. Bending down to speak to children, making eye contact and responding to people directly are practical ways to make brief interactions feel more personal. Similar gestures do not necessarily indicate imitation; they can simply reflect common approaches to communicating with a crowd.
The Nottingham appearance also generated interest because it marked Meghan's return to public-facing activities in Britain after a lengthy period away. According to reporting by UPI, she told well-wishers that it was great to be back. The couple's spokesperson also highlighted their longstanding connection with the organisations included in the visit.
For royal watchers, the encounter offered a glimpse of how Harry and Meghan are approaching public appearances as they continue their independent work. The body-language commentary added another dimension to the coverage, but the most clearly established details remain the couple's visits, their conversations with local people and their engagement with community organisations.
Ultimately, the comparison between Meghan and Catherine centres on a simple form of public interaction: lowering oneself to meet another person's eye line. Stanton believes Meghan used the technique effectively in Nottingham and sees similarities with Catherine's approach. Whether or not the Duchess consciously adopted that style, the visit demonstrated her willingness to engage directly with the people who came to meet her.
Key Takeaways
- Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visited Nottingham on October 15, 2026.
- Body-language expert Darren Stanton compared Meghan's crowd interactions with Princess Catherine's approach.
- Stanton highlighted Meghan bending forward to meet well-wishers at eye level.
- The couple visited the Community Recording Studio, Himmah Hub and Epic Partners.
- The visit marked their first joint public appearance in the UK since their reported return in August.
- The claim that Meghan copied Catherine is an expert interpretation, not a confirmed statement from Meghan.
