'Tense' Meghan Markle Was 'Not in Control' Beside Prince Harry, Body Language Expert Claims

When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at the Sundance Film Festival in late January, smiling for photographers and promoting their latest documentary, few could have predicted what a body language expert would later reveal about the couple's demeanour. According to analyst Judi James, Meghan Markle appeared unusually 'tense' and 'not in control' beside Prince Harry during the Utah screening of Cookie Queens — a rare observation about a woman typically known for her polished public presence.

The appearance marked one of the couple's infrequent joint outings in 2026, yet James noted what she described as a 'missed beat' in their body language, suggesting the Sussexes may be 'rebranding or just not quite in kilter at this event'. For a couple whose carefully choreographed public image is almost as scrutinised as their Netflix projects, the observation raises questions about what lies beneath the surface of their meticulously curated appearances.

Body Language Reveals Unusual Tension at Premiere

James, who has analysed the couple's non-verbal communication for years, was particularly struck by Meghan's facial expressions during the Cookie Queens premiere. 'Meghan's smile suggests some tension or hints that she may not have felt quite as pitch-perfect in control of the posing,' the expert told the Daily Express US. 'Her teeth look edge-to-edge, and her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes.'

The observation is noteworthy because it represents a departure from Meghan's usual demeanour. The former actress has long been regarded as a consummate professional at public events, rarely betraying nervousness or discomfort in front of cameras. Yet at Sundance, something appeared different.

James also noted peculiarities in Meghan's posture. 'Her left-hand placement is not in keeping with her current "catwalk chic" look, either pushed into her pocket or dangling awkwardly by the thumb,' she observed. For someone whose sartorial choices and physical presence are typically so deliberate, these small deviations spoke volumes.

By contrast, Prince Harry appeared slightly more at ease during the Festival appearance, though his body language told its own story. 'Harry actually looks a little more relaxed here, although his closed-lip, tempered smile doesn't mirror his wife's expression,' James explained. The divergence between the couple's physical states — she tense, he somewhat calmer — marked an unusual reversal of their typical dynamic.

The Cookie Queens Documentary and Archewell's Latest Venture

The couple attended the Sundance Film Festival to promote Cookie Queens, a documentary following four ambitious Girl Scouts — Ara, Olive, Nikki and Shannon Elizabeth — as they navigate the competitive, $800 million world of Girl Scout cookie sales during peak season. Harry and Meghan served as executive producers on the film through their media company, Archewell Productions, working alongside director Alysa Nahmias.

For Meghan, the project held particular personal significance. 'As a former Girl Scout myself, with my mom as my troop leader, I have a personal affinity for this film,' the duchess shared in a statement. She described the documentary as 'incredibly captivating,' noting that she and Harry knew immediately they wanted to be involved after viewing early footage.

During the premiere introduction, Meghan told the Sundance audience, 'Yes, it's probably the cutest film at the festival. But I'm also going to go out on a limb and say it's one of the most powerful and meaningful depictions of an American tradition.'

The film explores not merely the nostalgic aspects of cookie season but the genuine pressures faced by young entrepreneurs and their families, who sacrifice weekends and leisure time in pursuit of sales goals. According to Sundance programmer Stephanie Owens, the documentary offers 'a sincere, playful window into a multimillion-dollar industry powered by their cookie booths'.​

For the Utah screenings, Meghan opted for casual winter attire: a Heidi Merrick coat, white cashmere Brochu Walker sweater, and Veronica Beard jeans. Harry complemented her look with dark jeans, a white zipped sweater, and a black puffer jacket. Their 'dress down' styling prompted James to note they looked as though 'they'd popped in on the way to the shops, knocking any regal pretensions out of the water.'

Despite the couple's promotional efforts and personal connection to the subject matter, Cookie Queens ultimately failed to secure any awards at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The disappointment comes amid mounting pressure on Archewell Productions to deliver commercially successful content, particularly following Netflix's decision not to renew Meghan's lifestyle series With Love, Meghan beyond its initial run.

The Sundance appearance also attracted criticism due to its timing. Just days earlier, Prince Harry had provided emotional testimony in London's High Court during his ongoing legal battle against Associated Newspapers Limited, where he spoke movingly about the toll of media intrusion on his and Meghan's lives. Critics on social media questioned the apparent contradiction of seeking privacy in court one moment, then appearing before festival cameras shortly thereafter.

Yet for the Sussexes, Cookie Queens represents another step in their post-royal media journey — one that has included the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, the documentary Heart of Invictus, and the polo series Polo. As Meghan explained to Variety, Archewell Productions aims to 'focus on stories that resonate with people; things that are not necessarily the most topical and end up becoming something that is more topical'.

Whether this latest venture will achieve the cultural impact and commercial success the couple seeks remains to be seen. But if Judi James's body language analysis offers any insight, the pressure on the Sussexes — and particularly on Meghan — to deliver meaningful results may be greater than their carefully composed public faces initially suggest.