What was Meghan Markle REALLY feeling when she introduced the royal baby to the world?

Words by Maisie Bovingdon

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcomed their first child into the world on May 6, and just two days later the family of three made their debut public appearance.

The couple showed off their newborn at Windsor Castle on May 8, which saw the Duke of Sussex cradle their son in his arms, while the former Suits actress looked on dotingly.

But why didn't Meghan hold her baby?

Body language expert, Judi James, unpicks the threesome's appearance.

Speaking exclusively to Marie Claire Online, she said: 'Harry and Meghan have supplied several new 'firsts' for the royal family and their body language in this appearance was yet another one.

'Unlike other royal males, who have either tended to adopt the alpha dad pose as their wives hold the baby, or held it with the kind of trepidation before swiftly giving it back.'

The couple broke royal protocol once again. When Kate Middleton and Prince William, as well as the late Princess Diana and Prince Charles stepped out on the Lindo Wing with their newborns, the women in the family held their child. But Meghan did not follow suit.

Judi believes this is because Meghan - who is eager to expand her family already - felt 'anxious', but acted as a 'proud' and 'protective' parent.

She continued: 'Harry cradled his new son throughout while Meghan stood beside him doing all the encouragement and support. He was a pretty adept cradler, too, although some suppressed tension was obvious from the way he self-comfort rubbed his own hand as well as the baby.

'Harry looked natural as he gazed admiringly at the baby before cracking a joke about its facial hair.

'Meghan's variety of self-comfort touches to her son's hair and face looked slightly anxious, but her inclusive techniques showed she was taking the proud, protective, maternal role as she stroked the baby's head tenderly and used bouts of loving eye contact with Harry before placing an arm around his back and offering a reward stroke with her thumb on the way out.'

We want another look at baby Sussex.