Princess Anne and Prince Edward were “protective” of King Charles during the Easter Sunday service in Windsor and showed they are “willing to go the extra mile” in the wake of their brother’s cancer battle, a body language expert said.
King Charles’ three younger siblings joined the monarch at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle for the church service yesterday.
It was the king’s first major public royal engagement since his shock cancer diagnosis was announced in February.
Speaking to FEMAIL, body language expert Judi James said Princess Anne, 73, showed her ‘protective attitude’ towards her brother from the start.
The expert noted: ‘The royal body language message here is clearly one of resilience, unity and cheerful strength.’
Princess Anne waved to the crowd of royal fans outside St George’s Chapel in Windsor yesterday
The expert also said that King Charles (pictured) enjoyed his first steps back into public life ‘hugely’ yesterday
Analyzing Anne’s body language on arrival, Judi said: ‘Anne and husband Tim set the mood music as they got out of their car.
‘The couple rarely likes to chat or joke in public, but this time they did. Anne grinned at Tim as she came out and he even turned to smile at the fans.
“Anne’s wave and her warm, connecting smile to the crowd seemed like a sign of gratitude and even a reassuring relief.”
Additionally, the expert said Prince Edward – who was accompanied by his wife the Duchess of Edinburgh and son the Earl of Wessex – also hinted at his protective feelings towards his brother.
Throughout the afternoon, the royal father-of-two, 60, was pictured walking with his hands clasped behind his back – a gesture known to be favored by both King Charles and the late Prince Philip.
Judi continued: “Edward mirrored the hand clasp, which was a signature gesture of their father.
Additionally, the expert noted that Princess Anne was also depicted mirroring her father and brother’s “handle” at certain times of the day.
Judi added: ‘As Anne went to greet the clergy she clasped her hands very tightly behind her back, despite her handbag swinging from the clasp.
Body language expert Judi James noticed how Prince Edward, 60, ‘mirrored’ Prince Philip’s signature hand clasp during engagement
‘Comedy mouth’: Throughout his royal life, Charles has made comical faces while playfully interacting with royal fans, and today was no different, James said
“The hint is that they are both doing their best to provide the same kind of strength and even protection that their father provided to their mother during her reign.”
The expert went on to say that King Charles enjoyed his first steps back into public life ‘enormously’ yesterday.
The body language professional said there was also a reluctance to leave the gathered well-wishers and head to church, with the 75-year-old monarch delivering four silent waves before finally walking into the royal church yesterday morning.
With Queen Camilla at his side – with her own ‘relaxed’ body language – King Charles was clearly having fun.
Judi explained: ‘Charles looked like he was having a great time, back with his loyal fans and partially back at work.
Speaking to FEMAIL, body language expert Judi James said Princess Anne, 73, showed her ‘protective attitude’ towards her brother from the start
Judi said of Prince Edward’s hand clasp: “The hint is that they are both stepping up to provide the same kind of strength and even protection that their father provided to their mother during her reign.”
The body language of Philip (left in the photo in 2007) and Charles has also been compared in recent years
A monarch having fun: King Charles’ body language was cheerful and showed all his usual ‘humor gestures’ at St George’s Chapel in Windsor yesterday, despite his health problems in recent months, said body language expert Judi James
Body language expert James suggested Camilla didn’t have to pay too much attention to her husband, saying: ‘it didn’t appear she was on any form of nursing duty’
‘His cheeks were raised and rounded and he showed his characteristic gestures and signals of good humour, pulling a comical mouth at the hosts before turning to engage in what appeared to be a joke with the crowd.’
The expert also noticed “a fluttering wave of affection before pointing and joking with raised eyebrows in acknowledgement” when he saw the dozens of people who had gathered in Windsor to greet him on Easter Sunday.
She said: ‘This was not a quick wave and disappearance, the four waves before he stepped in indicated some reluctance to step out of the spotlight again.’
And Queen Camilla was in equally sparkling form, says James. ‘Camilla didn’t seem to be on any kind of nursing duty, with no concerned looks towards her husband.
‘The smile and gesture she made gave similar signals of reassurance and even some pride that Charles is returning to public life.’
However, despite the boost to public morale, the royal family’s Easter service will look markedly different from previous years.
Last year, during his first Easter service as King, Charles led the Firm – including William, Kate and their children – into the service on foot, while this year he arrived by car to protect him from infection during his treatment – as per doctor’s orders. .
The Prince and Princess of Wales were absent yesterday as they continue to privately recover after Kate shocked the world with her cancer diagnosis.
Last week, the princess revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy. Shortly afterwards, Kensington Palace confirmed that the Waleses would not be attending church on Easter Sunday.