Meghan Markle showed 'shyness' on red carpet as Duchess of Sussex appeared 'lost without Harry'

Her husband, Prince Harry, has visited New York, London and Lesotho in recent weeks, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are understood to be going through a "professional separation".

This means the couple are focusing on individual endeavours as opposed to joint appearances.

Meghan, 43, had not been photographed for several weeks while the duke was attending solo engagements.

But over the weekend, the mother-of-two was "happy to be there to support" LA Children's Hospital at a gala.

She stepped out in a scarlet Carolina Herrera gown that she wore previously in 2021.

She was joined on the carpet by Kelly McKee Zajfen, the co-founder of Alliance of Moms, an LA "community of philanthropists who support pregnant and parenting teens in LA's foster care system".

Judi James, a body language expert, spoke exclusively to GB News to explain how the duchess handled her solo red-carpet appearance without Harry.

She said: "For a confident woman who is used to cameras and red carpets, she acted grateful to see and join her friend.

"The body language ritual that she followed seemed to be a deliberate signalling of her current state, as Harry is off on his solo tour.

"Meghan performed signals of coyness and even shyness, plus a subliminal desire to have someone take over the lead from Harry.

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"It was as though she was somehow lost without him on the red carpet or wanted to suggest she is feeling more vulnerable and girlishly playful than usual."

Meghan was filmed nervously twiddling her fingers as she walked along the red carpet, with photographers shouting her name. As she approached the end, ready to move on, a woman dressed in black directed her towards Zajfen.

One photographer could be heard saying: "Ladies, can we start you at the beginning please?"

The former senior working royal was seen holding her friend's hand and seemingly wanted to step away from the cameras as soon as she could.