Meghan Markle was not a fan of Drew Barrymore’s overly touchy behavior on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” according to body language expert Judi James.
James claimed to the Daily Mail that the Duchess of Sussex was uncomfortable with the TV host’s “relentlessly” clingy nature as she zeroed in on several moments from their interview — which airs Thursday.
First, she analyzed a photo of Barrymore and Markle standing and posing together in front of the show’s white couch.
“This is a rare pose from Meghan, who is normally the first one to move in with the hugs to register the warm, spontaneously tactile side that was apparently met with a tsunami of ice water from the royal firm back in the UK,” James said.
“She has clearly met her match in Drew, whose tactile behaviors on her chat show are a signature part of the brand,” the expert continued.
“But it seems from this pose that what you get when you put two famously hugging women together is that one will bow out, namely Meghan in this case.”
James described Markle’s stance in the photo as a “straight, polite, more regal-looking pose,” while Barrymore wrapped her arms around the “Suits” alum.
“[Markle is] perhaps mirroring the kind of response she met with from the UK royals when she was busy hugging them,” James said.
“Her hand is hanging in her pocket rather than reciprocating the display of affection and she’s flashing a wide social smile at the camera rather than tilting her head in a reciprocal gesture.”
However, Barrymore, 50, “clings relentlessly, curling her arms around Meghan’s waist in a partial koala embrace and tilting her head to nestle against Meghan’s locks.”
The body analyst added that the “Charlie’s Angels” star’s tactile pose “signals a sense of warm friendship and affection,” whereas Markle, 43, appeared “more distanced emotionally and keener to communicate with the camera than with her host.”
James went on to dissect a candid photo of Markle and Barrymore having a conversation on the couch, claiming the duchess had “both hands up in front of her body … with hands curled into fists in what looks like a subtle barrier ritual.”
“Drew’s angle of lean as she sits on her sofa with Meghan suggests she’s poised to move in for some tactile rituals as they chat,” the body language expert said.
Meanwhile, the “With Love, Meghan” star “seems to be using her hands to illustrate or emphasize a point, but the positioning suggests she is not totally open to any touching or hugging at this point.”
Markle did rest her hand on Barrymore’s arm at one point as the talk show host’s dog relaxed between them.
“Her brows are steepled in a suggestion of wariness and she has her hand resting on Drew’s arm in what looks like a polite but firm restraining gesture,” James said of the interaction.
Markle made a rare TV appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show” to promote her new Netflix lifestyle series, which has been trashed by UK critics.
Barrymore made it a point to call the duchess by her Sussex surname — after Markle corrected Mindy Kaling in a scene from “With Love, Meghan.”
