Prince William projected “stability and continuity” at the Royal Family’s annual Easter Sunday church service, despite the last-minute absence of one major royal and the dark shadow of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest still hanging over them.
However, according to a body language expert, the future king’s outwardly confident demeanour masked a telltale sign of “anxiety”.
William, 43, was joined by his wife, Princess Catherine, and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, for the traditional service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
Other attendees included King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and Prince Edward, but Duchess Sophie of Edinburgh was absent due to ill health.
Andrew, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were also absent, despite attending last year.
The Royal Family put on a united front as they gathered for their biggest public gathering since Andrew’s arrest, but Judi James claims William could not hide his true feelings and appeared “anxious” as he greeted crowds outside the chapel.
“It was only William showing a subtle tell of any anxiety with a gesture he shares ironically with his brother (Prince Harry) when they are under scrutiny or pressure,” the body language expert told The Mirror.
“The hand placed over the stomach in a self-sooth barrier ritual.
“With George now grown up enough to walk with his mother holding a very grown-up-looking conversation, William walked with his younger son Louis, who marched along wearing a very serious and determined expression.”
James added that, with fallout from Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein still plaguing the Royal Family, the pressure was on for the Waleses to lead the “newly pruned” Firm.
“The focus needed to be on attendees rather than any dark shadows left from those that were missing,” she continued.
“And the projected message needed to be about stability and continuity.
“Rising easily to the challenge were the Waleses.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales had not attended the Easter service for the past two years.
Last year, they skipped the service in favour of a family holiday to Norfolk, and missed the 2024 service because of Kate’s cancer diagnosis.
Before the service, disgraced Andrew was seen walking his seven dogs around the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
The former Duke of York is thought to be effectively housebound after being exiled to Wood Farm following his removal from Royal Lodge, and remains under investigation on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Since his arrest on February 19, Andrew has had just one member of his family visit him, his younger brother Prince Edward, who allegedly stopped by on Friday to have a “quiet word”.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.skynews.com.au ’
