Prince Harry didn't seem pleased as he met with veterans and their families earlier this week, unlike his beaming wife Meghan Markle.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were invited to Downtown San Diego, where they spent the morning with the United States Navy SEALs for the official opening of a new veteran centre.

The 39-year-old prince stood with a blank expression on his face as the couple listened to speeches at the ribbon cutting ceremony while the duchess "over-compensated" with her enthusiastic smiles, according to body language expert Judi James.

The former Suits actress waved to the crowd as she joined in with the ceremony and at one point was seen awkwardly ushering her sombre husband forward as he hung back from the rest of the group, the Mirror reports.

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Judi said: "Meghan's body language behaviour here looks over-compensatory, the kind of emphatic smiling and beaming that a parent might do if their child is in a sulk or being difficult."

She also noted that the Sussexes seemed to be distant with one another during the visit.

Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

She explained: "Their 'double act' closeness seems to have been ditched for a moment too, with Meghan walking ahead enthusiastically while Harry pauses to look back, looking reluctant to smile in the same way.

"It even takes a rather emphatic back-touch and steering gesture from Meghan to get him to come to the front as he stops to chat to the hosts."

The body language expert pointed out how the duke "even stands behind Meghan in the line-up while she beams in the spotlight".

Judi continued: "He also uses a barrier gesture, placing his arm up to hold his jacket together and then rubs his hands together in what looks like a signal of inner anxiety."

Speaking about the awkward moment Meghan gestured for her husband, Judi added: "It's a steering, ushering gesture that was very public and very emphatic just as Harry had stopped to talk to someone.

"It's normal (and only if totally necessary) to get close and use a subtle touch that no one else can see but this 'big' gesture implied an almost maternal dominance, openly moving and ushering him along like PRs tend to do on the red carpet.

"It can be a sign of someone flexing their power muscles, too!"

Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.