The Sussexes captured media attention at the Time100 New York summit earlier this year when Meghan Markle declared she was the ‘happiest’ she’d ever felt, just a few weeks following the critical reception of her Netflix series With Love, Meghan.

At the time, the Daily Mail reported that Meghan took centre stage – leaving Prince Harry assuming the role of ‘spare’ once again.

A month subsequent to their presence at the summit celebrating the world’s most influential individuals, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were notably absent from the Time100 Philanthropy list.

During the summit, Meghan discussed allowing herself ‘the space and the grace to make mistakes’ and disclosed that her son Prince Archie’s first tooth is loose.

Upon their arrival, Harry accompanied his wife from their private vehicle, ensuring to be present to greet her after her appearance on stage.

However, body language expert Judi James pointed out an ‘awkward’ dynamic between the pair.

She mentioned to the Daily Mail: ‘This was a body language moment that seemed to illustrate how Harry had transitioned from being a royal “spare” to a life as a Montecito “spare,” appearing more like Meghan’s security here than her esteemed, regal husband.’

The body language expert said that as their car pulls up, Harry ‘defines Meghan as the star’ by sprinting around to reach his wife as she emerges.

She said: ‘The angle of his legs defines the rush that is mirrored by what is possibly the real security guard behind him. 

‘Meghan climbs out elegantly, keeping her eyes on the greeter and initially her left hand extends in a rather gracious movement that looks like an intentional gesture to Harry to clasp it.’

Judi said that Harry appears to read this tie-sign and begins an appropriate response, lifting his right hand in a ritual of compliance. 

But Meghan suddenly seems to flap it away at the last minute, choosing to hug the greeter with both arms instead.

‘Left with his hand hanging, Harry turns it into a truncated gesture that he then converts into a detour ritual to avoid looking rejected,’ she said.

‘We can see him drop his hand but then go for alternative usage, awkwardly hiking the back of his pants with it instead while standing, watching with a shy-looking half-smile.’ 

Judi continued: ‘Harry is used to preferential treatment and being the centre of attention as a royal and even to fawning responses in public.

‘But this is clearly Meghan’s moment and instead of introducing him to the woman she has just hugged in greeting, she turns her back on Harry to walk into the venue.

‘Harry is left faltering slightly, having to raise an arm to show he will follow Meghan, just as the greeter raises her to usher him along. 

‘It’s a difficult-looking moment for anyone, and Meghan doesn’t seem to hang around to make it go more smoothly for Harry, who then gets ushered in behind her.’

Meghan wore a Ralph Lauren silk-linen blazer worth £1,970 and £1,785 wide-leg trousers, which she paired with £650 Manolo Blahnik suede heels.

She also wore more than £35,000 of jewellery, including a £7,050 Cartier bangle and a pair of Tabayer gold hoop earrings worth £6,950.

The mother-of-two also had Princess Diana’s £21,400 gold Cartier Tank Francaise watch, inherited by Harry.

During the event, the Duchess revealed her Archie’s first tooth is loose, just as his cousin Prince Louis was pictured with two missing front teeth.

Meghan said it had been an ‘incredibly busy’ time as she launched her Netflix show, new podcast and lifestyle brand As Ever – but being a mother gave her ‘perspective’.

Asked how she stayed ‘focused’ while being a high-profile individual who is under ‘scrutiny’, the duchess said she does not go online.

She continued: ‘I’ve made a very, very conscious effort to create boundaries for myself and for my mental health, for my wellbeing, and certainly to role model that as well for my children.’ 

Asked what was ‘next’ for her, the duchess said: ‘I think obviously, focusing on our family and our children is most important.’ 

It is not the only time Harry has been described as a ‘spare’ in his relationship with Meghan. 

Speaking of the Sussexes’ quasi-royal tour of Colombia in 2024 when Meghan and Harry took part in a drumming lesson, Judi James said: ‘Harry is already looking a little like the Spare here, despite the way that this looks like a very traditional style of royal visit.

‘It’s Meghan appearing to take the lead and happily, confidently and excitedly immersing herself in the visit while Harry looks overcome by the heat or by his lack of talent on the drums.

‘Meghan’s body language is far more regal, with a very poised sense of elegance and a classic Duchess smile that she seems to retain throughout this visit. 

‘Harry looks across at Meghan as though looking to take his lead from her and she replies with a pit-bare gesture of confidence and power.’

This comes as one Hollywood insider described the guest stars for Meghan’s second instalment of her Netflix show as ‘underwhelming’ and ‘just a bunch of random people she knows’.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail: ‘The total absence of A-listers from Meghan’s second cookery series, as well as the first, can only mean one thing, a lack of pulling power which is embarrassing.’ 

This came as a contrast to Meghan’s wedding, where A-listers included Serena Williams and David Beckham.

Writing in her bestseller Palace Papers, journalist Tina Brown explained that ‘the celebrity guests were a portrait not of Meghan’s intimate circle but of the friends she most wanted to recruit’. 

But that mission to recruit stars failed, and instead, Meghan has been forced to rely upon her friends rather than major guest stars.