Prince Harry and Meghan Markle put on ‘over-kill’ performance as they step out after Frogmore Cottage eviction

“An eviction notice has got to sting no matter how rich, famous and grown-up you are"

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
(Image credit: Toby Melville - WPA Pool/Getty Images/Future)

As the news of their "eviction" from Frogmore Cottage broke, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were spotted "smiling" with "underlying tension," as they put on an "over-kill" performance during a date night in LA.

Following their retreat back into private life after the release of their highly personal projects, the Netflix series Harry & Meghan, and Harry's memoir, Spare, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were spotted enjoying a rare date night at the L.A. private members' club San Vicente Bungalows.

Whether it was purposeful or not, their celebrity sighting came just as the news of their "eviction" from Frogmore Cottage was beginning to break. 

On the surface, the pair appeared to be relaxed, with them both smiling and laughing as paparazzi took photos of them from a distance. But one body language expert believes that this was all an elaborate "performance" from the couple who wanted to put on a brave face for the cameras.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

(Image credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Speaking to The Mirror, body language expert, Judi James, explained, "It can be a tough enough call when your parents re-decorate your bedroom after you first leave home, so an eviction notice has got to sting no matter how rich, famous and grown-up you are.

"Harry and Meghan’s response here seems to be a deliberate projection of non-verbal 'shrugging' i.e. smiling widely and laughing in the face of the recent Frogmore news.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

(Image credit: Sipa US / Alamy Stock Photo)

"But this looks very much like a performance. These smiles appear to be over-kill rituals rather than grins that are prompted by authentic happiness. Meghan’s underlying signals suggest she has gone into 'vulnerable' mode, while Harry's are all about underlying tension.

"Harry's expression seems to change from one of wariness to one of beaming delight as he steps out of the car and faces the cameras. His behaviour suggests some anxiety and a desire to protect as he hops about, rounding his group up ... and ushering them into the venue."

Related articles:

Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse
Royal News and Entertainment writer

Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse is royal news and entertainment writer for Goodto.com. She began her freelance journalism career after graduating from Nottingham Trent University with an MA in Magazine Journalism, receiving an NCTJ diploma, and earning a First Class BA (Hons) in Journalism at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute. She has also worked with BBC Good Food and The Independent.