Prince Harry’s intense gestures and passionate delivery during a prominent New York summit have revealed the depth of his emotions and frustration, according to a body language expert.
On Tuesday, the Duke of Sus𝑠e𝑥 appeared at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York, where he urgently called for action against the “pervasive threat” that the online world poses to children.
He warned of the harmful impacts of social media, likening it to a “human experiment” rather than a genuine “human experience.”
Pacing the stage with a microphone, the prince described the issue as a “crisis that cannot be ignored.”
Body language expert Judi James commented on the striking delivery of Harry’s speech, noting how his movements on stage reflected his deep-seated emotions.
She told The Mirror: “Harry’s body language here makes him look nervous, emotional and at times angry about the cause he is pressing.
“His pacing the stage, the way he bites at his words and then sucks his lips in gives him a rather reproachful look for this very important subject matter.
“He seems to project some suppressed anger around it and delivers his message with that, rather than more easy-going charm or more animated passion.
“His usual signs of nervousness about making a speech are visible as he walks out on stage. He fiddles with his waistband before puffing slightly and looking down.
“There is a weak smile from him at the brief applause but then he places his left arm up around his lower ribs in a very pronounced barrier gesture that looks new to his repertoire and hints at a desire to self-protect.
“The left-hand moves into his pocket as he paces around the stage with a rather military look, as though briefing a battalion. And that could be Harry’s way of trying to motivate his audience to his cause.
“He looks genuinely troubled and angered by it and keen to brief the room to action, using some very tragic and poignant photos on the screen behind him.”
The Duke of Sus𝑠e𝑥 shared the spotlight at the event with high-profile figures including renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, celebrity chef and humanitarian José Andrés, former US president Bill Clinton, NASA administrator Bill Nelson, billionaire philanthropist Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani, and Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.