Geri Halliwell is presenting a strong front with husband Christian Horner after he was accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by a colleague.
The Red Bull F1 boss was under investigation but was then cleared of the allegations on the eve of the new season, which kicked off this weekend.
However, texts and images supposedly between the 50-year-old and his accuser were leaked to the media and F1 personnel late last week.
The scandal has cast a shadow over the sport, as well as Horner’s marriage to former Spice Girl Geri, who joined her husband in Bahrain for the Grand Prix yesterday.
The couple were filmed and photographed arriving at the event hand-in-hand, which followed earlier reports she was left ‘stunned and humiliated’ by what had unfolded.
Now, body language expert Judi James has given her opinion and shared her thoughts on what she’s seen.
After watching the video of them entering the event together, Judie said Geri’s smile ‘seemed to define all the inner and masked emotions’ and that she ‘looked keen to present a united and defiant “shielding” front with her man’.
‘Walking hand in hand in front of the photographers she threw loving glances at Christian and even accepted and offered a kiss to let the world know in an “intentional ritual” that all is well in their marriage and that they are putting on a bonded front,’ she told Metro.co.uk.
‘With her closed-lip, saintly-looking demure smile in place, Geri’s body language suggested she was instigating this non-verbal announcement.
‘Her hand was cupped in the clasp with the palm upward, her fingers curled around her husband’s.
‘At times the clasp was held closer to her torso than his, suggesting she was in the lead. There was also a moment when Christian leant over to plant a kiss on his wife to create an idea of ongoing affection.’
She then said that ‘denial’ and ‘nothing to see here’ rituals were ‘notoriously difficult to perform’.
‘Looking natural and affectionate with banks of cameras logging your every move is almost impossible and some of Geri’s subtler cues hinted at emotions that might be incongruent with her projected displays,’ she continued.
‘Her smile did not seem to reach her eyes. A genuine smile of happiness starts in the eye expression but Geri’s eyes looked sad.
‘Their hand clasp looked tight with Christian’s knuckles appearing to go white, suggesting tension.’
The expert then said the couple’s kiss ‘lacked easy-going symmetry’.
‘It seemed to land high and Geri’s raised hand suggests surprise rather than reciprocity,’ she explained.
‘And although Christian tried for a rather awkward-looking smile he also stuffed one hand in his pocket, which can often suggest a desire to hide.'
After the race, Horner was determined that he would continue to lead the team he has managed since it started in 2005, and later expressed gratitude to his wife, family, and the Red Bull team for standing by him during what he described as 'unpleasant' times.
He told the media that he would not discuss the reasons why someone leaked the confidential materials.
He said, 'I’m not going to comment on what motives, whatever person may have for doing this [leaking the confidential materials]. My focus is on this team, my family, my wife and going racing. I have the support of an incredible family, of an incredible wife, of an incredible team and everybody within that team and my focus is ongoing racing and winning races and doing the best that I can.'
He also said, 'Obviously it’s not been pleasant. The unwanted attention, but the focus is now very much on the cars.'
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