MARRYING into the royal family can’t be easy, especially when they are some of the most recognisable names around the world.

However, instead of adopting a “passive profile”, Meghan Markle has a number of subtle ways of stepping out from husband Prince Harry’s shadow.

Judi James said Meghan Markle steals the limelight thanks to some body language tricksCredit: Splash

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We often see Meghan being at the forefront of the coupleCredit: supplied
According to body language expert Judi James, the Duchess of Sussex has served a “body language and communication masterclass to avoid being eclipsed.”

The expert added: “This has helped her to ensure, as she has all her life, that her assertive voice gets heard too.

“Many of Meghan’s signature moves are both flattering, loving and encouraging to Harry but they can also help establish her at the forefront of the action too.”

Here are the top ways she holds the limelight when out with Prince Harry…

THE BACK TOUCH TIE-SIGN

Judi observed how Meghan often touches Harry’s backCredit: Getty
While traditionally royal family members keep their public displays of affection to a minimum, Meghan and Harry have always been confident in making contact with one another.

Judi observed: “Meghan’s trait of touching Harry’s back is another gesture of affection that can have other uses too.

“It reminds Harry she is there behind him but it can also be used to hint she wants to come through, which is especially useful when Harry forgets he’s not in royal circles any more and fails to urge his wife forward during any group introductions.”

ARM CLASP OWNERSHIP

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Judi pointed out that Meghan often does a double hand clasp to show they are a ‘double act’Credit: Rex
Meghan and Harry tend to use touch rituals like hand-holding on a regular basis but Meghan will often add an extra ‘ownership’ arm-clasp into the mix, according to Judi.

She explained: “This is an announcement gesture of bonding to the world but it is also emphasising that they come as a double act rather than the royal star and his plus-one or spare.

“The double clasp allows her to communicate more effectively and silently with Harry while showing the world their prioritisation not just to each other but in terms of a more active role for Meghan from their engagement onward, too.”

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Meghan knows how to command attention when she’s on the mic, says the body language proCredit: Getty

THE MAGIC POWER OF THE MIC

We’ve often seen Meghan and Harry doing speeches at functions and engagement, and Judi claims that in Hollywood the microphone is a symbol and prop of power.

She explained: “The one holding the mic is the one centre-stage commanding the attention and we can often see celebrities at awards ceremonies or red-carpet events taking the mic out of the hand of the presenter so they can control their own content.

“Meghan’s habit of taking the mic has been well documented and is a testament to her confidence and keenness as a speaker, even if the gesture isn’t always successful.”

THE SEXUAL TOUCH

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We often see the duchess with her hand resting tenderly on Harry’s kneeCredit: Alamy
When someone’s hand is placed on your thigh it is guaranteed to command your attention.

Judi observed how this flirty gesture that “signals sexual attraction” is a favourite of Meghan’s that she uses for prolonged periods of time socially.

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She explained: “It is also a form of tie-sign to Harry that offers messages of love and reassurance but also a sense of taking the lead and being the one to address your conversation to.”

THE VERBAL ENGAGEMENT

Judi shared how Meghan is a “confident, engaging speaker” with an “attractively smooth, soft and fluid tonal delivery”.

This helps her to be “easy to listen to and easy to be engaged by.”

But her body language also helps captivate an audience, claims the expert.

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Meghan commands attention in group settings, says JudiCredit: Alamy
Judi added: “She also excels at facial expressions like a relaxed asymmetric ‘shared’ smile and eye-smile that add to the sense of engagement, meaning she will command attention for all the right reasons.

“This was first visible at the ‘Fab Four’ stage presentation where Meghan spoke with a pace, passion and confidence that our more stage-shy or more formal-sounding royals can lack. It makes her sound like the one to listen to.”

THE GROUP POSITIONING

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The body language expert claims Meghan often takes the spotlight in group scenariosCredit: BackGrid
Part of supporting charity events and doing walkabouts involves meeting large groups of individuals and officials.

Thankfully, Meghan appears confident in group settings and often takes the lead socially.

Judi explained: “Meghan’s celebrity status tends to shine through in the way that she often naturally and confidently gravitates to the centre of group poses or scenarios.

“It might sound like an obvious trick but important in a more competitive Hollywood scenario. “Harry often tends to be happy to hang back when this happens, allowing Meghan to shine in the spotlight rather than pulling any royal rank or even quietly upstaging her.

“When Meghan was in the UK she and Harry were often relegated to the back row in terms of royal rank and protocol but life in the US had allowed Meghan’s natural star status to shine out.”

How confident Meghan Markle hit the spotlight aged 12

MEGHAN Markle proved herself as a feminist long before hitting the spotlight – pushing for change at just 12.

Footage of the US actress as a school student has surfaced, with the young woman having written letters demanding for a cleaning ad to change their sexist ad’s phrasing from “women” to “people”.

Meghan had taken issue with Ivory’s ad for dishwasher soap, that claimed “women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans”.

Taking up a pen and paper, the determined student wrote to the company, asking for them to make a change – and they did.

Nickelodeon footage of Meghan explaining just why she had decided to speak out has since resurfaced, with the fresh-faced student already well-spoken and thoughtful.

Speaking to the camera, she explained: “I said – wait a minute, how could someone say that?”

She said that she realised a number of commercials would hurt people’s feelings, and was determined to make a change.

In the 1993 interview, she said: “I don’t think it is right for kids to grow up thinking that mom does everything.

“If you see something that you don’t like or offended by on television or any other place, write letters and send them to the right people and you can really make a difference, not just for yourself but for lots of other people.”