Maternity Leave Meghan's Trump Card

The return of the duchess ruffles a few royal feathers.

- Judy Kean

It was her first official outing since giving birth to baby Archie five weeks earlier, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, rose to the occasion when she joined the rest of the royals at Trooping the Colour last week.

Taking a break from her maternity leave, the new mum beamed and animatedly chatted as she travelled in an open-top carriage with husband Prince Harry, stepmother-in-law Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and sister-in-law Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

By contrast, her companions looked almost underwhelmed and couldn’t match Meghan’s obvious delight to be out in public again.

Camilla (71) barely cracked a smile as the carriage made its way down The Mall in London as part of the traditional parade celebrating the Queen’s official birthday. Sitting opposite Meghan, Kate (37) wore a wide smile for the crowds but, according to a body language expert, her posture and gestures gave the impression she was feeling awkward.

Judi James says Kate’s posture suggested “inner tension” and a “lack of relaxation”, which would not be unexpected if rumours of a rift between the sisters-in-law are true.

Meghan, on the other hand, appeared to be doing her best to ease the atmosphere and show that everyone gets on like a house on fire, observed Judi.

Her talkative behaviour showed “a continuation of the projected narrative that all is well between them” and Meghan (37) looked the “happiest and most relaxed”.

In fact, the person who seemed the least enamoured about being part of the annual celebration was Harry. Sitting next to his wife, the new dad wore “the slightly bland, enigmatic facial expression that has recently become his signature look,” says Judi.