Prince Harry mentioned he was meeting his friend Guy Monson for dinner tonight during his Invictus speech in London because he is 'keen' to show that he won't be alone in his hotel room, says body language expert

12/05/2024

Judi James says Harry wants to let people know he won't be dining alone tonight READ MORE: Prince Harry WON'T meet Charles on whistle-stop UK trip due to King's 'full programme'

Prince Harry name-dropped someone during his Invictus speech in London today because he is keen to let 'everyone' know he will not be sitting alone in his hotel room this evening, according to a body language expert.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, arrived in the UK alone today after flying in from California for a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games in London tomorrow.

Ahead of the service, Harry visited Armoury House this afternoon for an Invictus Games discussion called 'Realising a Global Community' hosted by Louise Minchin.

During his chat onstage, Louise asked the former senior working royal to reflect back on a magic moment that made him smile.

Harry said: 'It probably hasn't changed, it has to be the beginning, 2014, in the Copper Box. I was at the DJ sets and trying to choose some of the music, put the lights on and get people on their feet.

'And...is Guy in the house? Guy Monson? Are you here? No? Well we're having dinner at his place later so he'll definitely be there.'

Judi James, body language expert, said Harry name-dropped his friend because he wanted to let people know he won't be alone in his hotel room tonight. Above: Prince Harry at Armoury House in London this afternoon for an Invictus Games discussion

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Judi said Prince Harry appeared to be touching his wedding ring, a sign that he is wanting to evoke emotional back-up from his wife and family back in the States

Prince Harry speaks with a member of the Company of Pikemen and Musketeers at the Honourable Artillery Company in London today, while appearing to clutch onto his wedding ring

The Duke of Sussex will enjoy dinner this evening with Guy Monson, who attended the unveiling of a statue of Princess Diana in 2021 at Kensington Palace (he is seen on the far left)

Guy Monson is a city financier and a trustee of the Invictus Games Foundation, who was on the organising committee for the launch in 2014.

In 2018, he was appointed treasurer to William and Kate and Harry and Meghan, before the Sussexes stepped down as working royals.

Guy, chief investment officer of Sarasin and Partners, a London-based £18billion investment fund, was alongside the warring brothers when they unveiled a statue of their mother Princess Diana in 2021 at Kensington Palace. It was Harry and William's last solo engagement together.

Speaking of the moment, Judi James, a body language expert, told FEMAIL that the name-dropping was intentional to put out a message to the crowd that he won't be short of company during his stay in the UK.

She said: 'He looks keen to be meeting friends here in the UK, at one point he name-checks someone, rubbing his upper thigh with both hands in a gesture of positive anticipation.

'[Harry] then throws in the info that he will be having dinner with them tonight as though keen to let everyone know he will not be sitting alone in his room, dining from room service and the mini-bar and pining for dinner at the Palace.'

Harry is expected to stay at a hotel in London because he no longer has Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.

Harry at Armoury House in London today for an Invictus Games panel with Louise Minchin

Harry was three miles away from Charles at the Invictus Games discussion in London today

The Prince had hoped to meet his estranged father the King during his trip, which follows a previous quick visit in February after Charles's cancer diagnosis. And Harry's event was just three miles away from where Charles was at Clarence House.

But Harry's spokesman said today: 'In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty's full programme.

'The Duke of course is understanding of his father's diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.'

During his walk, where he spoke to Pikemen and Musketeers at the Honourable Artillery Company, Harry can be seen appearing to clutch onto his wedding ring.

Judi said the Duke may have been doing this to feel 'emotional support' from his wife, Meghan, but also family in the states.

She said: 'As he walks he brings his hands up in a barrier gesture and he seems to clutch at his wedding ring.

'This is a self-comfort ritual that suggests desire to evoke emotional back-up from friends and family back in the US.'

The body language expert said he also walked around the grounds, exuding confidence.

'His walk towards the camera retains signals of confidence, with a leg-splay and an eye-smile suggesting delight at being able to adopt a princely air again as he, although not quite reviewing the troops, walks along past the military musicians as though going through similar motions.'

Judi added that Prince Harry was keen to display 'power' and 'status' while speaking onstage at the event.

She said: 'Harry’s on-stage presentation is a similar blend of peacocking mixed with some signs that this display might be based on bravado.

'His thighs are splayed wide to signal physical power and status and his back is slightly slumped to imply he is relaxed.'

Sky News also captured the father-of-two on camera exiting a black Range Rover at Armoury House today.

As he opens the door and leaves the car, the Duke swings his blazer around slightly before putting it on.

Judi said: 'Harry makes a rather dashing entrance to the UK here, swirling his jacket around like a cape as he exits his car to suggest he has no desire to keep a low profile.

Prince Harry is seen at Armoury House in London today attending an Invictus Games event. Judi said he swirled his jacket around to show that he does not intend to keep a low profile on his visit

King Charles III waves as he is driven away from Clarence House in London this morning

February 14, 2024 -- Harry and Meghan attend an Invictus Games event in Whistler, Canada

'The gesture involves some leg-splaying and pit-baring, both rituals that are connected to confidence although this can also mean bravado rather than the authentic thing.'

Harry is understood to have various Invictus Games commitments today, according to ITV. These are expected to include further meetings and a dinner this evening.

Tomorrow, the Duke is set to give a reading at a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral marking a decade since the inaugural competition in London in 2014.

Organisers had said there was no confirmation of any other royals attending, or if Harry's wife Meghan Markle or children Archie and Lilibet would also be in the UK.

But Harry arrived in London by himself today, and is expected to join the Duchess on a tour to Nigeria later this week with Meghan set to fly there from the US by herself.

And Harry is not expected to see his brother Prince William , who is scheduled to be away from the capital on Thursday and Friday, or his sister-in-law Kate Middleton whose cancer treatment continues following her revealing the diagnosis in March.

Earlier today, Charles was photographed being driven from Windsor Castle before arriving at Clarence House in London soon after. The King later held an audience nearby at Buckingham Palace with the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka.

The Duke has invited William and other senior members of the Royal Family to the service but none of them are expected to attend, sources told Page Six in the US.

Among the royals who could attend are his cousins Zara Tindall and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, but there has been no confirmation of this.

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