King Charles appeared to be “impatient” during an appearance at the annual Commonwealth Day service with his sister-in-law Sophie stepping in to break the ice, according to a body language expert.
The King, Queen Consort Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton were among the royals in attendance at the ceremony yesterday (13 March), which was held at Westminster where the King will be crowned in May.
The royals arrived at the Abbey in windy conditions and shook hands with guests before exchanging a few words and heading to their seats.
During the proceedings, Sophie – who was recently named the new Duchess of Edinburgh, alongside husband Edward, who became Duke – appeared to jokingly shoulder bump the King.
Body language expert Judi James has said the sweet moment was a telling moment between the pair, acting as an ice-breaker at the formal event.
She explained to The Mirror: "Whether it was the upgrade to Duchess of Edinburgh or maybe just a response to Charles’s slightly impatient-looking dithering as he waited to get on with the procession, but Sophie leant right in to give Charles a very playful shoulder-bump greeting, along with a very meaningful grin.
"It was probably the first glimpse of a gesture like this at a formal public event like this and as an ice-breaker, it seemed to set the tone for the new Prince and Princess of Wales, who were spotted exchanging some grins that were fondly bordering on the flirtatious during the service.”
Judi also said that Charles had an "air of impatience" as he arrived at the Abbey while Camilla appeared "intensely nervous".
She explained: "Charles’s air of impatience might have been prompted by what went on outside the Abbey. Being greeted by jeers from the crowd from people carrying anti-monarchy banners didn’t rattle the King but it did seem to startle Camilla."
Outside the Abbey, the King had been greeted by anti-monarchy protesters, carrying placards with the words “Not my King”.
Protesters have staged events at a number of his royal engagements.
It was the first time King Charles has attended the service as monarch, and it saw him deliver a message marking the occasion from the Great Pulpit in Westminster Abbey, where he will be officially crowned King in just two months' time.
The King issued a call to the countries of the Commonwealth, urging them to “strive together” to achieve a “global common good” in his first address.
He also paid tribute to his “beloved mother”, describing how Commonwealth Day was a moment of pride for the late Queen Elizabeth who “dedicated her long and remarkable life” in service to the “Commonwealth family”.
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