- Duke and Duchess of Sussex receive rapturous welcome at Merkur Spiel-Arena
- Meghan arrived yesterday after flying in from Los Angeles via London Heathrow
- READ MORE: Meghan Markle puts on a VERY leggy display in shorts as she dons Chanel and Givenchy for the Invictus Games
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle acted like a ‘celebrity power couple’ during a rock star welcome at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today, according to a body language expert.
Crowds leapt to their feet to applaud the Duchess of Sussex, 42, who seemed taken aback by the rapturous greeting as she took her seat in the Merkur Spiel-Arena for her first appearance at the sports event with her husband.
Judi James told FEMAIL that the mother-of-two managed to make her appearance ‘very red carpet’ with ‘flirty poses… to add to the look of being a celebrity power couple.’
Meghan and Harry – whose two young children, Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, are back home in Montecito, California – watched a wheelchair match between Australia and Ukraine.
Dressed casually in J Crew sweater and shorts and Chanel flat pumps, the Duchess beamed with delight and waved to the crowd and punched her hands in the air, hugging supporters of the Australian team seated in her row.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Judi said: ‘Meghan and Harry’s body language on this first formal day of Invictus appearances together really does seem to signal that the Harry and Meghan roadshow is back in the room.
‘It’s been a while since the fans have been treated to some of their signature rituals of togetherness as a couple and as a professional double act but they appear here taking the applause like celebrities with Harry back in his proud, protective tow-along pose, hand-in-hand with a very excited looking Meghan.
‘Their hand clasp is mutual, with Harry’s hand on top in a gesture of dominance and Meghan’s fingers are curled upward to show reciprocal affection as Harry leans to talk to her.
‘Harry’s chest is puffed again and his arms are partly held away from his sides to suggest machismo and confidence.
‘He’s looked isolated and rather anxious of late but, hearing the adulation from the audience, his beaming smile suggests a return to his old form.’
The expert also noted how Harry hosted Meghan, adding: ‘The job suits him because it places him in the leadership role for a bit.
‘When they throw their arms up in the air to join in with the crowd we can see Harry’s arms going straight up and held high while Meghan is left to mimic him although with less easy confidence and she converts it into a dance move.’
Following her impromptu speech at an Invictus Games party for 1,600 people where she apologised for her late arrival at the competition yesterday, a buzz of excitement had gone around the games today that Meghan would be making her debut appearance.
Dressed casually in J Crew sweater and shorts and Chanel flat pumps, the Duchess beamed with delight and waved to the crowd and punched her hands in the air, hugging supporters of the Australian team seated in her row
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
More than 2,000 schoolchildren were invited to the fourth day and had been talking excitedly about Meghan.
The couple were swamped by fans who wanted to have their photo taken with the them when the wheelchair basketball match ended.
Meghan bonded with Australian competitor Laura Reynell, 28, from New South Wales, who sat next to her as they talked about her beanie hat.
She said: ‘Meghan thought it was funny I was wearing the beanie and asked if I was cold. I told her I’m from Oz and always cold.’
Ms Reynell added that Meghan spoke about her two young children behind in California.
She said: ‘She was so nice and was talking about her kids. She said the kids are excited about Invictus but they are a bit too young to understand.’
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle talk with Annika Hutsler of the USA at the games today
The Duchess of Sussex watches wheelchair basketball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
Prince Harry meets an excited young boy at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today
Meghan Markle waves her hands at the wheelchair basketball match in Dusseldorf today
The Duchess of Sussex poses for selfies at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess pose for a photo with children at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle talk with Annika Hutsler of the USA at the games today
The Duchess of Sussex meets children at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and smile at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf today
The Duke and Duchess pose for a photo with children at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duchess of Sussex smiles during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duchess of Sussex meets a child at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex watch wheelchair basketball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duchess of Sussex smiles during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle talk with Annika Hutsler of the USA at the games today
Reynell has been competing in the power lifting, archery and rowing. Harry was in animated conversation with Tavis Watt, 49, a psychologist for the Australian team.
After watching the match, Harry and Meghan joined in with a children’s relay race.
It was Sussex v Sussex as they chose opposing teams for the race around the basketball court.
Harry encouraged his team to win the sprint race, urging on the young competitors who are attending the games to cheer on family and friends.
Meghan clapped her hands enthusiastically as her group of youngsters raced.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the wheelchair basketball preliminary match this morning
The Duchess of Sussex smiles during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke of Sussex smiles during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the wheelchair basketball preliminary match this morning
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex watch wheelchair basketball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
Meghan Markle hugs Annika Hutsler of the USA at the games in Dusseldorf today
The Duchess of Sussex smiles during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess pose for a photo with children at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf this morning
The couple presented medals to all those taking part as Queen’s ‘We Are The Champions’ blasted out in the arena.
Earlier, Meghan lived up to her rock star welcome by walking over a group of fans who had been chanting her name.
As they squealed with excitement, she reached out to high five the group and pose for selfies.
Harry and Meghan then walked hand in hand across the court – and the Duke later had out a guiding hand on his wife’s back.
Before posing for a team photo with all the children, Harry picked up a cone and handed it to a spectator so it would not spoil the shot for dozens of photographers.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
A selfie of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the wheelchair basketball match today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
The wheelchair basketball match between Ukraine and Australia at the Invictus Games today
Meghan Markle smiles while watching the wheelchair basketball at the Invictus Games today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The pair repeatedly posed for selfies with family and friends of the children taking part in the race.
Organisers said Harry was hoping to pop across to a neighbouring court later today where Team UK were playing Canada.
Harry and Meghan have a packed schedule and will be watching a swimming event and wheelchair rugby later in the day.
The Duke launched this year’s sporting competition for wounded military personnel and veterans on Saturday night.
He and Meghan were reunited in Germany last night after she flew in from Los Angeles, with a stopover in London Heathrow.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle greet a member of the crowd in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Meghan Markle smiles upon her arrival to watch the wheelchair basketball this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The Duchess of Sussex watches the wheelchair basketball at the Invictus Games today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle greet a member of the crowd in Dusseldorf this morning
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Meghan, 42, claimed ‘milkshakes and a school drop-off’ had delayed her arrival to Dusseldorf.
The Sussexes were last seen together at a Beyonce concert in California on September 1.
Meghan apologised for being late yesterday and explained she was spending time with their children, Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, at the couple’s Montecito mansion before jetting off.
She told the audience: ‘It is so special to be here and I am sorry I was a little late for the party… [I] had to spend a little bit more time getting our little ones settled at home – three milkshakes and a school drop-off.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle greet a member of the crowd in Dusseldorf this morning
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
Meghan Markle smiles upon her arrival to watch the wheelchair basketball this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle greet a member of the crowd in Dusseldorf this morning
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle greet a member of the crowd in Dusseldorf this morning
‘I only landed a couple of hours ago and I’m thrilled the first event I can do for Invictus is here with all of you. I hear it has got off to a good start so far.
‘We can’t wait to one day bring our kids as well so they can experience just how fantastic this is.’
Harry, who has been in Germany since Friday afternoon for the games which he founded in 2014, encouraged the guests to ‘connect with each other’.
The Duchess wore a black shirt dress by Banana Republic and an aide said she had got ready within an hour after arriving at the £2,000-a-night presidential suite at the hotel where Harry is staying, doing her own hair and make-up.
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