Meghan Markle used her acting skills to bond with children as she read to them during visit in which she let go of her inhibitions and gave a 'masterclass in effective communication' body language expert claims

Meghan Markle used her 'acting skills' with a 'wonderful lack of inhibition' as she visited a Children's Hospital Los Angeles, according to body language expert Judi James.

The Duchess of Sussex, 42, who lives in Montecito, appeared in great spirits as she joined children for a special storytime appearance on March 21, when she led a 'Literally Healing' workshop. 

Expert Judi James told MailOnline that the mother-of-two managed to make each child 'feel special' as she individually greeted them, while showcasing empathy as she engaged with the children.

Judi said: 'She acted in the role of host to each one as they arrived, performing an individual form or greeting ritual that should have made each child feel special.'

In footage of the visit, Meghan greeted the group of children as they met to hear her read stories, including Rosie Revere, Engineer, which she labels as 'one of my favourites'. 

Judi added: 'She could have sat while they were brought in but by coming out to greet them she made each one feel important while she took over authority for the room rather than looking like an invited guest from the outside.'

Despite wear a face mask for the children's health and immunity which can 'create barriers to any bonding', Meghan still managed to offer 'engaging communication'.

The expert said: 'Meghan produces a body language masterclass here that might actually have provided us all with a vital lesson in the skills of effective and engaging communication while wearing a mask during the time of Covid. 

'The mask might have been necessary for the children's' health and immunity but hiding two-thirds of the face can sadly create barriers to any bonding and empathy with both adults and children. 

'Meghan overcame these barriers though with several powerful techniques.' 

Gesturing and changing the sound of her voice to add more to the characters' quotes, Meghan's acting roots were clearly paying off.

Judi said: 'Meghan clearly used her acting skills to deliver the stories with a wonderful lack of inhibition, making the mask almost "vanish" by compensating with exaggerated eye and eyebrow expressions; searching pauses where she eye-scanned to create involvement, and a soaring vocal tone as she read the lines. 

'She managed to hold each book up open at eye-level so the children were reading along with her and she read from the side of the page, which can be tricky. 

'She also used her left arm to act out the stories for added emphasis.

She added: 'She used the technique of empathy, appearing to be reading at the same pace as the children and looking and sounding genuinely surprised when she turned each page. 

'She increased her eye-engage during dramatic pauses to create listener engagement and we can see children's hands going up as their responses become more vocal.

'She joined in with the chant/song with matching enthusiasm and she even self-pointed at some stage to make herself look as enthralled by the story as the children were.'

Meghan's stylish floral $3,490 (£2,776) Oscar De La Renta silk-chiffon landscape shirt dress also helped the children engage, according to Judi.

She said: 'Meghan's skirt was like a storybook illustration in itself. It was a useful 'intentional gesture' in terms of setting out the mood of the session and intriguing the children from the outset.' 

During her visit in March, Meghan also shared hugs with the children and staff, as well as taking photographs with them.   

'Children were laughing and singing as The Duchess turned into character with every page as she read patient favourite books like Rosie the Riveter, Pete the Cat and I Saw a Cat', read a statement.

It also isn't the first time that the Duchess has connected with kids through stories; she's authored a children's book, The Bench, and to mark Archie's first birthday in May 2020, the mother and son appeared in a clip where she read Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld.

'With literacy development and fun in mind, the mother-of-two also helped kids with STEAM activities tied to each book that let patients explore counting, colours, problem solving and more,' a statement added.

The Duchess is a children's book author after releasing The Bench, a story inspired by Archie's relationship with his father, Prince Harry.

'The Bench started as a poem I wrote for my husband on Father's Day, the month after Archie was born,' Meghan said in the press release from publisher Random House Children's Books. 'That poem became this story.'

The book was dedicated by Meghan to Harry and Archie: 'For the man and the boy who make my heart go pump-pump,' the dedication read.

Children's Hospital Los Angeles' Literally Healing is a reading programme that gifts families at the hospital more than 65,000 books annually.

Meghan's storytime was part of the Make March Matter campaign, an annual fundraiser at the hospital that aims to create hope and build healthier futures with the help of 'celebrities, business and the greater community'.

More than $10million for the Children's Hospital Los Angeles has been raised by the campaign since 2016.   

Meghan looked effortlessly stylish during her visit in the floral shirt dress with long cuffed sleeves and a sash belt.

The outing marked the second occasion that Meghan has donned the piece, having previously worn the dress in photographs displayed in the Sussexes' Netflix docuseries in 2022, Harry & Meghan.

For her recent engagement, she paired the outfit with a classic pair of £595 ($747) 'Love Affair' black pumps with a delicate strap from Italian brand Aquazzura - an item Meghan has sported on numerous occasions.

Meghan wore her glossy brunette tresses loose and kept her make-up simple and understated to complement her lively ensemble.

A touch of rosy pink blusher and a sweep of eyeliner across her eyelids was enough to enhance the mother-of-two's complexion.

The Duchess added to her outfit with a pair of simple yet elegant chunky gold hoop earrings.