Meghan Markle’s prolonged hug with Malala Yousafzai outside Claridge’s, alongside an outfit reportedly worth £25,000, was intended to attract attention during her first public appearance in the UK since the Queen’s funeral, experts have claimed.
Body language expert Judi James said the former actress appeared to be adopting the role of the “gracious duchess” during what she described as an “intentionally intense” and “dramatic” embrace with the Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Ms James also said Meghan struck a “classic upmarket catalogue model pose” during the pair’s highly visible farewell. Malala, however, appeared noticeably less comfortable as they hugged outside the hotel, in a position that ensured they would be “spotted”, she claimed.
Leading public relations expert Mark Borkowski suggested Meghan had deliberately placed herself in the spotlight by meeting Malala at one of London’s most recognisable luxury venues.
He further claimed that Claridge’s, along with its privacy-conscious VIP clientele, may have been unhappy with the “pantomime” surrounding the pair’s afternoon tea.
Meghan and Malala were filmed and photographed enjoying tea and scones in the world-famous Foyer & Reading Room.
Instead of saying goodbye inside the five-star hotel, Meghan—wearing an outfit reportedly valued at £25,000—shared a lengthy and affectionate farewell hug with Malala on the steps outside. Photographers were waiting to capture the moment.
Ms James said: “The steps outside Claridge’s must be one of London’s most high-profile spots, and it’s here that Meghan’s ‘gracious duchess’ ritual of splaying and coat-flapping would ensure that, if she hadn’t already been spotted, that glamorous tan cape coat, fully extended like wings, would certainly draw attention.
“Meghan is proud to be seen with the amazing, heroic Malala here as she uses her body language to define that ‘gracious duchess’ style of friendship.”
The intensity of Meghan’s warmth towards Malala was intended to show their “warmth and friendship to the rest of the world”, according to a body language expert
“Meghan’s ‘gracious duchess’ ritual of splaying and coat-flapping would ensure that, if she hadn’t already been spotted, that glamorous tan cape coat, fully extended like wings, would certainly draw attention,” a leading body language expert said
Meghan and Malala said their farewells outside the busy Claridge’s rather than inside the hotel
Meghan appeared to be rekindling her British charity connections as she enjoyed a glamorous afternoon tea with the Nobel Peace Prize winner
Judi James said the hug was so enthusiastic that “Meghan’s left hand clawed as it holds onto Malala’s shoulder”
A leading PR expert suggested Claridge’s and its privacy-conscious VIP clientele may have been unhappy with the “pantomime” surrounding the pair’s afternoon tea
Ms James said Meghan’s hug appeared “intentionally intense”, adding: “Meghan’s eyes appeared to have closed over Malala’s shoulder, signalling warmth and friendship to the rest of the world.”
“The hand is held in mid-air, with the wrist bent and the hand upright, creating that delicate ‘broken wing’ look celebrities often use to suggest elegant vulnerability and specialness,” she added.
Mr Borkowski claimed Meghan had turned Claridge’s into a “celebrity circus”.
He said: “What a pantomime. On the one hand, you crave normality and plead for privacy. On the other, you choose one of London’s most famous celebrity haunts, a magnet for paparazzi, and emerge looking as though you’ve stepped straight off a fashion runway.
“It’s the same old Sussex contradiction. There are countless places they could have chosen for a cosy chat. The great irony is that Meghan wants to be seen as ordinary while continuing to operate in the extraordinary theatre of fame. You can’t demand privacy while repeatedly choosing the spotlight.”
Claridge’s in Mayfair is one of the most exclusive hotels in the world, but Mr Borkowski believes its management may be less than impressed.
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He said: ‘It’s hardly a great advertisement for Claridge’s. The sight of camera phones and TikTokers capturing private encounters sends a rather unfortunate message to celebrities and high-net-worth guests who pay handsomely for discretion. If even Claridge’s can’t provide a sanctuary from the celebrity circus, where can?’
The Duchess and Malala look deep in conversation as they exit the restaurant after their meal
Mark Borkowski claimed Meghan had turned Claridge’s into a ‘celebrity circus’
Meghan smiles as she and Malala walk away from the hotel after their catch-up
Meghan has been barely seen since she and Harry arrived by private jet on August 26.
Malala, who was a 15-year-old Pakistani schoolgirl when she was shot in the head by the Taliban in 2012 after advocating female education, is a charity powerhouse.
The pair first met during Covid, when Meghan was among the celebrity voices lending their heft to a campaign for female education in 2020.
Malala, who is now married and lives in Birmingham, runs the Malala Fund and campaigns to bring education to girls globally.
The meeting at Claridge’s, where the two had a £95-a-head afternoon tea, has notably not been shared by Meghan on social media.
A source close to the duchess said that it was simply a personal meeting.
Meghan was wearing a camel Tove Studio coat worth £1,695, a £630 cashmere sweater in wheat by LA-based label CO and Ralph Lauren’s £1,700 white satin Masina trousers in ‘lux cream’.
She carried a black Chanel handbag worth around £7,000 and wore £795 Saint Laurent ivory and tan ‘Chris’ loafers. Around her neck was Logan Hollowell’s Lovers Duet Diamond and Emerald Chain necklace, valued at £16,200.
Her entire outfit came to just more than £28,000.
In a striking contrast to her Chanel arm candy, the Duchess also carried a canvas tote bag featuring a striking design depicting women wearing hijabs.
The pair enjoyed a classic British afternoon tea with the scones apparently being a favourite of Meghan’s.
They were watched by security throughout.
Meghan and Malala first joined forces in October 2020 for a virtual discussion on the International Day of the Girl, when they spoke about girls’ education.
Their London meet-up is believed to have been Meghan’s first public appearance in the capital since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022.
Months earlier Meghan and Prince Harry were met by some boos as they arrived at St Paul’s Cathedral for a service of thanksgiving to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
While the Duchess has transited through Heathrow on several occasions since then, she is understood to have avoided central London during the ongoing concerns about her security.