Lip reader reveals how peacemaker Edward built bridges with Princess

From diffusing tensions at the Sussexes last public event before ‘Megxit’ to being the first in the family to visit Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor at Sandringham, the Duke of Edinburgh has proven himself to be the Royal Family’s peacemaker.

However, it’s not a new role for Prince Edward, 62, as in December 1994 he revealed his diplomatic qualities after he approached the late Princess Diana during the traditional Christmas walkabout.

At the time, a slightly downcast – and outcast – Diana had publicly split from Charles, then the Prince of Wales, but was yet to finalise the divorce, which became official in the summer of 1996.

As a former partner attending the occasion was understandably awkward for Diana, but a lip reader and body language expert has revealed how Edward helped put the mother-of-two at ease.

A clip shows how Edward stepped in when a nervous-looking Diana was seen chatting with a minister, where, according to lip reader Nicola Hickling, he reassured her of her presence at the event, saying: ‘It’s so good that you came, and great to celebrate together.’

‘It’s wonderful to see you and the boys and have them here, don’t you think, vicar?,’ he asked before making small talk about William and Harry: ‘Have they eaten all of the chocolate?’

Diana responded: ‘Edward, they ate it all before breakfast,’ before the prince replied that ‘boys can’t do anything in moderation’. Diana laughed and added: ‘Boys will be boys.’

Nicola explained: ‘Edward’s approach appears deliberate, by leaning in, keeping the tone light, and drawing others into the conversation, he seems to ease Diana into the group, helping shift the moment from polite formality into something more relaxed and inclusive.’

Body language expert Judi James, observing the same clip, noted: ‘Edward and Sophie have clearly been employed as unofficial royal “air bags” at several recent events with the calm, unproblematic and apparently non-judgmental approach allowing them to take the middle ground as peacemakers or buffers during times of friction in the family.

‘They were famously placed between the Waleses and the Sussexes to make small talk with both couples during Harry and Meghan’s very fraught and emotional last public appearance before leaving for Canada, and it’s now Edward who seems to have been the one paying visits to his brother Andrew in his isolated banishment from the Firm.

‘It’s clear from this clip though that Edward has been taking the role of royal peacemaker and social buffer for several decades. 

‘When Charles and Diana separated, Diana was left with the unenviable job of appearing with the rest of the royals, minus Charles, as they attended church at Sandringham. 

‘This was a formidable line-up that included not just the Queen and Philip but also the fiercely protocol-protective Queen Mother and the Queen’s imperious sister Margaret.

‘Diana is clearly attempting to socialise bravely here and show some of the stoic behaviours the Queen might have admired, but she looks isolated and vulnerable. 

‘She tries to chat and even laugh with the clergy and we can see her step forward to speak directly to the Queen at one point but there is a low-key and rather icy-looking response as the Queen and her sister wander away to join other members of the family.

‘Diana watches the royal women interacting with a group of small children with a wistful expression, her polite social smile melting to suggest she would have loved to have joined in.

‘As she turns back to the clergy, possibly the only person with no desire or authority to “cut” her, her head is lowered in a signal of growing dejection, like a dog lowering its tail.

‘We can see Edward very thoughtfully taking a gentle “stealth” approach to mingling with his downcast sister-in-law though. 

‘Instead of pushing or barging in too obviously to lift the mood he sidles in with his hands clasped behind his back and we can see his sideways glance showing how he is assessing the situation to decide on the best way to perform a “rescue”.

‘His arrival and announcement ritual is a bouncing on his toes before he bends his head and neck round to engage and join in, with one eyebrow raised to signal a light-hearted approach.

‘There is a smile of what looks like relief and gratitude from Diana as she turns to look at him and Edward uses a “pace and lead” ritual of another, jolly-looking bounce on his toes, smiling directly and fondly at Diana as she turns to join in with his chat.’

Years later, in 2020, Edward was praised for diffusing any possible tension as he took his seat between the Sussexes and Cambridges at the Commonwealth Day service.

Edward was seen chatting to Meghan and Harry as the royals took their seats at Westminster Abbey.

The Duke, who was joined by his wife Sophie, deftly bridged the conversation gap between the Sussexes and William and Kate, who were seated on the row in front.

Edward’s relaxed, easy-going nature was noted by royal supporters watching at home, who said he was ‘chatting’ and ‘giggling’ with Meghan to help put her at ease.

The event marked the Sussexes last official outing as senior members of the royal family before they gave up their titles as part of their ‘Megxit’ departure deal.

Then, earlier this month, Edward became the first royal to visit his disgraced brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as he lives in exile, it’s been claimed.

The former prince, 66, who is currently living at Wood Farm in Sandringham, was reportedly paid a visit by his younger brother Edward this week, for a ‘quiet word’.

But the visit was apparently not a brotherly show of support – instead, the Duke of Edinburgh and his wife Sophie reportedly wanted to stay in Wood Farm over Easter.

It is claimed that the pair are worried that Andrew is dragging his heels at his temporary accommodation before his permanent move to Marsh Farm, which is next door on the estate.

Edward and Sophie were forced to stay in the main house at the King’s Sandringham estate over the break, as Andrew is ‘reluctant to leave’ the Norfolk bolt hole, a source told The Sun.

They added: ‘Edward has already publicly made his feelings clear when he expressed concern for the victims.

‘Edward was meant to be staying at Wood Farm as he regularly books it for Easter, but his brother was there.

‘Andrew has been dragging his heels. He could have moved by now, but has been reluctant. Edward has had a quiet word with his brother.’

He was the first family member to see Andrew in two months. The disgraced former prince has been in hiding following his eviction from Royal Lodge in February over his links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.