Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle reveal how they met in first TV interview
With their weddings being held at the same venue just months apart, royal-watchers will inevitably draw comparisons between Princess Eugenie and Prince Harry's impending nuptials.
But while their venues might be the same, the Duke of York's youngest daughter's engagement portraits are in stark contrast to her cousin's, with Eugenie and fiancé Jack Brooksbank eschewing the Hollywood glamour aesthetic for a more traditional approach.
Unlike Meghan, who opted for a braless £56,000 ($107,000) couture gown, Eugenie wore a recycled £1800 ($34,000) Erdem dress which she has been spotted in on at least two occasions.
And the former Suits actress's "flirty" gaze is the polar opposite of Eugenie and Jack's rather more formal, regal pose, according to body language experts Judi James and Elizabeth Kuhnke.
James, who is the author of The Body Language Bible, told the Daily Mail: "Harry and Meghan might be marrying at the same place and in the same year but they seem to be decades apart in their approach to their body language signalling."
The engagement portraits of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were intimate and relaxed. Photo / AP
Hollywood-themed shoot vs traditional setting
"While Harry and Meghan side-stepped the formality of royal styling to design a sweeping, Hollywood-style theme for their engagement shots, Jack and Eugenie seem to have opted for a sweeter, subtler, more traditional form of posing," says James.
"For Jack and Eugenie, though, it's a return to the classic royal look with their emotional bonds being hinted at rather than emphasised. They look excited and happy but also slightly shy, which is a normal body language reaction from a couple in love."
Body language experts say Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank appear more tentative and posed. Photo / AP
"Flirty" gaze vs formal posing
"Meghan's romantic, stylised and rather sexy, flirty look with her man could have been taken from the pages of Vogue," James notes.
"She clings to Harry's arm or sits between his legs, leaning into his torso and the very modern poses and body language would fit with all the aspirational or celebrity couples shots you might see on social media.
"The body language defines them as an A-list power couple who are openly besotted and happy to share all their signals of attraction for one another."
Meghan Markle opted for a £56,000 couture gown for her Hollywood-esque engagement shoot with Prince Harry. Photo / AP
Alpha female vs Jack the protector
"In Harry and Meghan's shots you can see Meghan steering and leading the choreography while Harry joins in happily but with Jack and Eugenie the power levels look rather more evenly-balanced," James explains.
"Jack's puffed chest and rather tender hold around Eugenie's waist suggest he'll be the one in protective role if necessary but with Harry and his bride-to-be many of the loving signals suggest it could be Meghan taking a confident, caring and almost maternal role at times with her prince."
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank pose at Buckingham Palace after they announced their engagement. Photo / AP
"Intimate and playful" vs tentative and nervous
Elizabeth Kuhnke, author of Body Language: Learn How to Read Others and Communicate with Confidence, notes that Harry and Meghan's photos are "sensual intimate and playful".
Whereas Jack and Eugenie's photos are a bit more tentative.
She explains: "In both photos - facing the camera and facing one another - the mouths are in a traditional smile position. The difference is in the eyes.
"Jack is beaming, and the muscles around his eyes (the orbiculares oculi) are engaged. In a genuine smile, those muscles contract, and reflect true, happy emotions. He appears comfortable and self-assured.
"Despite her smiling lips, Eugenie's eyes appear tentative and reveal nervousness. The risorius muscles in her cheeks are engaged and pulling her lips into the right shape, but her eye muscles are not contracted."
Meghan Markle hugs Prince Harry's arm in this photo from their engagement shoot. Photo / AP
High fashion vs "Classic" clothing
Celebrity stylist Lucas Armitage was struck by Eugenie's "decidedly more traditional" choice of outfit compared to Meghan's "ethereal" look.
He says: "Eugenie has had to endure her fair share of criticism in the past; we will never forget the 2011 royal wedding attire that started off memes before memes were even a thing.
"But her classic style has hit the fashion spot. The cap sleeve and fluted hem of this beautiful dress still show her playful side, but in a toned-down and sophisticated way, while the beautiful satin bow shoes are the perfect footwear choice.
"Whereas Meghan seemed to be creating an editorial vibe, Eugenie seems at ease with her royal status - which is maybe a tactic to get people excited about her (possibly) more traditional upcoming nuptials."
Princess Eugenie wears a ring containing a padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds. Photo / AP
Relaxed vibe vs "choreographed"
While Harry and Meghan went for a decidedly relaxed vibe, Eugenie and Jack appear much more choreographed, Kuhnke notes.
She explains: "[Jack's] right hand supporting her left - in order to show off her engagement ring - is solid and steady, while her hand appears forced into the position, as if she is performing the right moves because she knows what is expected of her.
"In the photo where they face one another, again she appears tentative and positioned, while he looks like he's about to burst out laughing. Her upper body is slightly pulled back, again an indication of nervousness as he leans more towards hers. Although she appears almost shy, while he pulls her close to him at the waist, her smile is warmer than in the forward facing photo, and her eyes are engaged."
