Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s ‘parent and child-like’ ritual has been exposed by a body language expert. During their recent three-day trip to Nigeria, the Duke of Sussex seemed “reluctant” to release his wife’s hand on the final day of their visit.

The Duke, aged 39, and Duchess, aged 42, were seen holding hands as they arrived at State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s residence, where they were the guests of honour on Sunday, May 12.

Body language specialist Judi James spoke to the Daily Mail about the couple’s dynamic, noting: “There’s something almost parent-childlike about this body language as Harry and Meghan perform small dance-like rituals to avoid letting go of each other’s hands, even for a second.”

She further observed: “They seem to want to cling together for affection and to have a tactile link to create tie-signs i.e. small steering touches or moments of reassurance while they are out appearing in public.”

READ MORE: What readers think should fill the space when M&S leaves Leicester city

Honouring her promise to ditch her usual monochrome styling and honour her Nigerian origins, Meghan turned heads in Lagos by donning a stunning canary-yellow dress – the very same one she had worn in 2021 when breaking the news of her pregnancy with Princess Lilibet. Body language expert Judi commented on their dynamic: “Their hands are clasped as they arrive and Harry seems to tap the clasp against his thigh as though wanting to reassure himself.”

Furthermore, the expert suggested that the Duke of Sussex appears to be craving physical connection as he hastens to retake Meghan’s hand whenever it slips away from him, reports the Express.

The duo are currently on their first joint visit to Nigeria, promoting the Invictus Games, a cause close to Prince Harry’s heart. This follows his meeting last year with the Nigerian team and General Musa at the competition in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Throughout this tour, Meghan has embraced vibrant colours in her wardrobe. She explained earlier: “It has been a whirlwind 24 hours since we arrived, and I very quickly got the memo that I need to wear more colour so I can fit in with all of you in your incredible fashion.”

Adding further historical significance to their visit, just last year, Nigeria achieved the landmark of becoming the first African nation to participate in the Invictus Games, a platform for wounded military personnel and veterans that was co-launched by Prince Harry back in 2014.

On the first day of their mini-tour on Friday, Harry recounted the joy that the Nigerian team brought to the games in Dusseldorf.

Prince Harry made a stop in London prior to his country visit, joining the festivities marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games and attending a thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Earlier this year in February, Harry had briefly returned to the UK to see his father, King Charles, following his cancer diagnosis.