Prince Harry is “A Completely Different Person” Since Moving to the U.S., Body Language Expert Says

“You can tell through Harry’s body language that he is genuinely happy.”

Prince Harry at the Invictus Games 2023
(Image credit: Getty Images)

It would be nearly impossible to deny that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appear happier than they’ve ever been. We had plenty of chances to see that for ourselves at this week’s Invictus Games, held in Dusseldorf, Germany from September 9 to September 16; according to a body language expert, Harry is a “completely different person” since moving to the U.S. over three years ago, and that the Duke of Sussex is more at ease with himself since relocating to California.

Since arriving stateside, body language expert Darren Stanton said that Harry has “reconnected with himself” and has found a sense of “inner peace” as he has grown in confidence both within himself and within his relationship with Meghan.

Prince Harry at the Invictus Games 2023

(Image credit: Getty Images)

“Harry has become a lot more relaxed since moving to the States,” Stanton said, per The Daily Express. “He is a completely different person. When he was still in the U.K., he had to adhere to a lot of the royal protocols, and we get the impression now that he couldn’t really be himself. In terms of his body language, we’ve seen Harry show fewer pacifying gestures, meaning he doesn’t feel the need to reassure himself as much as he did when he was a working royal in the U.K.”

Prince Harry at the Invictus Games 2023

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Stanton added that Harry feels “less pressure” and seems to be far less “frustrated or nervous” in his new life, as well as free to say what he wants: “Harry has also become a lot more outspoken over the past few years,” Stanton said. “A member of the royal family would never, ever get angry or display their personal opinion. They’re always told to follow the words of ‘Never explain, never complain.’ But Harry has broken this mold, which has given him the chance to be more open and honest with himself.”

Stanton continued “You can tell through Harry’s body language that he is genuinely happy. It’s clear he has a sense of peace now. He’s been able to do what he needed to do.”

Rachel Burchfield
Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor

Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.