A lip-reading specialist has deciphered the words Meghan Markle directed at Harry during the Invictus Games opening ceremony

The 2025 Invictus Games began in Vancouver, but a moment between Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex stole the spotlight. A lip reader revealed their exchange, while a body language expert analyzed their “emphatic” displays of affection — offering insight into the couple’s dynamic.

The 2025 Invictus Games commenced in Vancouver, Canada, at BC Place on Saturday, February 8, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle taking center stage at the opening ceremony.

The event celebrated the resilience and perseverance of wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans worldwide. Founded by the Duke of Sussex in 2014, the Games have become a symbol of strength and recovery.

This year’s competition, running through February 16, introduced winter adaptive sports and welcomed 550 athletes from 25 nations, all competing in a showcase of determination and camaraderie.

Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex, who shared her excitement about the Games on social media, were engaged throughout the event, cheering for the athletes during the Parade of Nations. However, a private exchange between the couple stole the spotlight.

Lip reader Jeremy Freeman, an Expert Witness Forensic Lip Reader certified by the Deafness Cognition and Language Research Centre at University College London, analyzed the couple’s conversation during the opening ceremony.

As Prince Harry prepared to take the stage for his speech, he reportedly told his wife, “Okay…I’ll be back later.” In response, the Duchess of Sussex tenderly held his face and assured him, “You’re amazing!”

Their affectionate gestures continued beyond the opening ceremony. While riding a golf buggy, the Duke of Sussex placed his hand on Markle’s thigh.

Freeman noted that the couple appeared delighted to be surrounded by enthusiastic supporters, with Prince Harry encouraging his wife to acknowledge the cheering crowd. “C’mon, c’mon,” he reportedly said, prompting Markle to turn and greet the well-wishers.

Body language expert Judi James further analyzed the Duke and Duchess’s public display of affection, suggesting Markle’s animated expressions and interactions were a deliberate response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks.

Earlier that week, Trump had commented on Prince Harry’s immigration status, stating, “He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.”

“When he made his derogatory comments about Harry and Meghan, Meghan’s body language response seemed to be ‘Hold my coat’ as she put on one of the most emphatic sets of bonding and adoration rituals ever,” James explained.

According to James, Markle’s introduction of Prince Harry during the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 resembled that of a newlywed proudly speaking about their spouse, “[…] implying deliberately to the audience that she was still embarrassed by her depth of feeling for him,” James said.

The Duchess’s gestures reinforced her admiration for Prince Harry throughout the ceremony. She leaned against him, held his arm, and placed a possessive hand on his leg, appearing to emphasize their connection.

“Meghan squealed and giggled and stepped back to hold her arms out to greet him with a kiss on the cheek before extending one arm to direct him towards the mic,” James noted.

Markle’s enthusiasm remained evident as the evening progressed. She cheered alongside the audience, shook her pom-poms, and stayed physically close to Prince Harry.

“Meghan used non-verbal signals to make herself seen as Harry’s own private cheerleader, literally lifting two large blue pom-poms at one point,” James observed.

“Her body language looked somewhere between a teenager on a date night and a proud mom at a school open night,” James added.

The former “Suits” star’s speech reinforced their family dynamic, as she affectionately referred to Prince Harry as “my husband, the father of my very sweet and exciting children.”

“It was an emphatic display of bonding, with even references to packing lunch boxes for the school run seeming to cement the fact that they are a very strong, ‘perfect’ and besotted family unit,” James concluded.

“All that touching she is doing looks more controlling than owt [sic] else. Hold his hand, touch his arm, hold his face in two hands,” one social media user shared in part.

“Meghan is an actress (of sorts!), very public appearance is a scripted performance,” another person commented. A third typed, “It’s hard not to notice how much she craves the spotlight,” while a fourth shared, “What desperate looks like…I almost feel sorry for them.”

“Oh, come on now. Nobody acts like that at such as prestigious event, except, as you say, when there are umpteen photographers and spectators watching and it was all about PR,” another social media user remarked.

The Power of Touch – Markle’s Public Displays of Affection
The Duchess of Sussex has long been known for her tactile nature, frequently engaging in public displays of affection with Prince Harry. From hand-holding to gentle touches, her physical interactions with the Duke of Sussex have been analyzed as a key component of their communication.

James has examined the significance behind the Duchess’s gestures, noting that she often uses touch to connect and communicate with her husband.

Her “double clutch,” where she holds Prince Harry’s hand and arm with both of hers, has been interpreted as a “gesture of possession” and a sign of emotional intimacy.

The body language expert observed that this touch, first seen during the couple’s engagement announcement in 2017, evolved from a self-protective barrier into a display of affection and ownership.

The Duchess’s habit of placing her hand on Prince Harry’s knee or thigh further emphasizes their connection. James described this as a “sensual” move that signals both attraction and a maternal form of ownership.

Similarly, Markle often placed her hand on the Duke of Sussex’s back, a gesture James suggested could indicate guidance or reassurance, particularly in situations where the former actress assumed the role of host or leader.

When attending events such as the Invictus Games, Meghan Markle often modifies her gestures to match the occasion. Instead of her usual hand-holding, she sometimes clasps Prince Harry’s bicep, a touch that James explained as a “surrendered” approval of his strength and leadership.

This subtle difference in their interactions reflects the adaptability of their dynamic in different settings. One of the Duchess’s most frequently seen gestures is the “hand sandwich,” where she encloses one of the Prince’s hands within both of hers.

The body language expert described this as “the strongest form of hand linking,” reinforcing their image as a united couple. Given their decision to step down as working royals, maintaining their public image as a solid partnership may be of particular importance.

Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex were noticeably affectionate at the Invictus Games. A lip reader and body language expert weighed in on their interactions, while some social media users felt their display was performative. Whether genuine or staged, their public dynamic continues to spark debate.