When Prince Harry got down on one knee and proposed to Meghan Markle, he knew he had a lot to teach her.

Becoming his wife entailed becoming the Duchess of Sussex and marrying into one of the world’s most famous families.

He stood by her side in the run-up to their wedding and in the early months of their marriage, guiding her through official engagements, charity outings, and private meetings with the Queen and the rest of The Firm.

According to body language expert Judi James, Meghan Markle’s subtle hand gesture proved Harry’s role as guide and protector is now over and the “tide has changed” in their relationship.

The couple sat side by side on garden chairs in their infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey, detailing their version of life in the royal family.

Meghan accused the Duchess of Cambridge of racism and claimed she made her cry, whereas Harry claimed his brother Prince William is “trapped” and that his father Charles cut him off financially.

And, according to Judi, their hand gestures show that, while Meghan appeared confident, Harry was not and required his wife’s support.

“I think when Meghan came to the UK, Harry saw himself as the overly protective husband who knew that all hell was going to break loose in terms of press and public interest, and was desperate to protect her – despite the fact that she presented herself as a very confident woman,” she says.

“However, based on the Oprah Winfrey clip, I believe the tide has turned completely.”

“Now she appears to have brought a much more vulnerable Harry back to the United States with her, and she appears to be more in the role of rescuer and protector with him.”

“In this hand gesture, you can see that he has his hand on the chair and she has her hand on top.

“That’s almost a maternal gesture, as if it’s being used for reassurance and allowing him to feed off her confidence.

“Clearly, she is friends with Oprah, and she is used to being in front of cameras as an actress, but for Harry, this is a whole new world in which he is being judged and asked to perform.

“And it appears from the clip that he intends to rip his soul out in front of the camera and tell us everything.”

Meghan, according to Judi, is sitting with a pit-bearing gesture, indicating confidence.

“Meghan is just sitting there looking very demure, very regal, I would say, very elegant,” she explains.

“She has an upturned V gap beneath her armpit, which shows confidence.”

“When we feel bombarded with difficult questions or are uncomfortable, women, in particular, tend to self-diminish and bring our arms in.”

“However, Meghan has that super self-controlled, confident image going on here.”

Judi, on the other hand, believes Harry’s body language tells a very different storey, implying that he requires his wife’s support.

“Harry, on the other hand, is much less self-assured,” she said.

“He’s sitting diagonally, and he looks a lot more awkward.”

Judi added, pointing out Harry’s hand on his crotch: “He’s striking a male pose, with his hand between his legs. It’s known as the fig leaf pose, and it’s a very self-protective gesture.”

She emphasises how his body language differs from when he was interviewed by James Corden.

“Here, he appears to be far more guarded, far more uncomfortable, and far more in need of Meghan’s hand clasp.”