Body language expert Patti Wood picked up on Harry's closed off, clasped hands which showed he was eager to protect something during his meeting with Melania Trump in Toronto. Photo / AP
Body language expert Patti Wood picked up on Harry's closed off, clasped hands which showed he was eager to protect something during his meeting with Melania Trump in Toronto. Photo / AP
With the world watching, Prince Harry and Melania Trump had their first meeting in Toronto on Saturday - the first sit-down between a member of the Royal Family and the First Family since the presidential election.
It was predictably frosty and somewhat secretive; their 30 minute chat was kept private.
But a body language expert called in by DailyMail.com has shed light on their face-to-face which, they say, may have been just as uncomfortable as it looked.
Body language expert Patti Wood picked up on Harry's closed off, clasped hands which showed he was eager to protect something during his meeting with Melania Trump in Toronto. Photo / AP
Patti Wood, who has studied body language for decades, was able to glean a huge amount from just a brief video clip of the meeting.
Harry, who is usually laid back and welcoming, was subdued and restrained and did not want to appear to be too excited about his sit-down with the First Lady, she explained.
"He started with his hands clasped and he's gesturing very low to the body. It felt like he needed to protect himself during the interaction.
"It's proper etiquette but it's interesting because it assumed there's something to be a little bit concerned about," she said.
By keeping his hands low, Harry was displayed a "subdued", low energy, she continued.
When he did gesture, the prince demonstrated what is known as "flinging away" which shows emotions he is "flinging out", the expert said. Photo / Getty Images
"My guess is the cameras and the fact that he's talking to her, he's having to subdue his normal animation. He doesn't want to seem too excited to be with her," she added.
His reluctant smile also revealed his nervousness at being seen to enjoy the meeting, Wood said.
"He doesn't smile at her, he just has a smile like 'I should be smiling but I can't be smiling,'" she said.
People also took to Twitter to highlight the moment when Prince Harry made the sign of devil horns when first meeting Melania Trump.
WATCH: First lady Melania Trump meets with Prince Harry at Invictus Games in Toronto https://t.co/UsBWNODOxK
Prince Harry makes devil horns sign with hand when meeting U.S. first lady Melania Trump for the first time. Photo / Getty Images
By contrast, during meetings with former First Lady Michelle Obama, the young royal was entirely at ease.
In one 2015 get-together at Kensington Palace, he was pictured with his knees spread far apart, looking directly in the then First Lady's eyes as they "shared a moment".
"Look at how far apart his legs are. That's a very manly man, I'm presenting myself as a sexual man and I'm very comfortable.
"He's leaning back, he's comfortable. He's much more comfortable in this one," Wood said.
By contrast, Harry was open and masculine in his body language when he met Michelle Obama in 2015 (above). Photo / Getty Images
As for the ladies, Melania's closed-off posture and tense shoulders revealed she was nervous - a predictable observation for the First Lady's first solo foreign engagement.
"There's a lot of tension. It's polite but beyond that to a slight fear and tension like 'Am I doing the right thing?'" she said.
