King Charles and Queen Camilla showed subtle signs of ‘inner anxiety’ as they attended public engagements just hours after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested, a body language expert has claimed.
The couple appeared composed as they greeted royal fans at separate events this afternoon – with the King attending London Fashion Week while his wife appeared in Westminster to meet young music scholars.
It came just hours after the King’s younger brother Andrew was arrested and taken into custody amid a morning raid on his new and former homes.
Multiple sources claimed Charles and Buckingham Palace were not informed in advance of the operation by detectives.
Body language expert Judi James has claimed Charles and Camilla showed mirroring signs of ‘inner anxiety’ throughout their engagements today, despite seeming calm on the surface.
Charles fiddled with the button of his overcoat as he exited his State Bentley on The Strand in central London this afternoon, suggesting a ‘desire to self-protect and self-comfort’, Ms James said.
Meanwhile, Camilla performed a similar act as she arrived at Sinfonia Smith Square Hall and chatted to her hosts, conducting an ’emotionally mirrored ritual’ when fiddling with the knot on the belt of her coat.
Ms James told the Daily Mail: ‘Both rituals had no practical use but they imply a desire to self-protect and self-comfort. For the royals, who can’t greet the world with crossed or folded arms, these truncated rituals are a strong hint of inner anxieties.’
Charles also made himself appear more ‘vulnerable’ as he ‘slightly stooped’ his body upon arriving at the fashion event, Ms James said.
She added: ‘His lips were held into a rigid smile of resilience and stoicism as he was greeted by his host but his brows were puckered in a steeple of anxiety and his eye expression suggested sadness.’
Charles appeared to enjoy himself as he sat next to British fashion designer Stella McCartney to watch Tolu Coker’s show this afternoon – at times sharing a laugh with the star.
But just hours earlier Thames Valley Police had arrested his brother Andrew, the eighth in line to the British throne, on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The Daily Mail was the first to reveal plain-clothes police, carried in six unmarked vehicles, had arrived at Wood Farm, where Andrew now lives, at 8am this morning.
A convoy including at least two royal Land Rovers linked to Andrew was photographed leaving the estate less than an hour later. His arrest was confirmed at 10.08am.
Ms James pointed out that while Charles put on a cheery front just hours later, the monarch let his ‘mask’ slip at times to reveal a solemn expression.
‘Another photo shows his expression when the mask of pleasure and affability slips. Here his very tired, red-rimmed eyes have a desperately sad expression while his mouth is held in a shocking rictus,’ the expert claimed.
‘His lower jaw juts in a signal that can suggest or hint at intense anger, showing all of his lower teeth.’
It came after Charles ignored questions about his brother’s arrest upon his arrival at the fashion show today.
Two journalists shouted out questions for the monarch, asking: ‘Do you have any reaction to the arrest of your brother, Sir?’ and ‘Your Majesty, how are you feeling after your brother’s arrest? Have you spoken to your brother Your Majesty?’
The King walked in without commenting and sat down for the show by designer Coker, who was supported by his King’s Trust’s Enterprise Programme in 2018.
Meanwhile, Camilla also appeared composed on the surface as she sustained eye contact with fans in Westminster, suggesting ‘no desire to hurry or be evasive’, Ms James claimed.
The expert added: ‘The belt-fiddling was her only key tell of inner anxiety and, unlike her husband’s apparent desire to re-boot his status via the steepled hands, Camilla’s bobs as she went to take her seat suggested a desire to sit at the same time as everyone else rather than to pull rank.’
The Queen attended Sinfonia Smith Square Hall to watch musicians from the Tri-Borough Music Hub perform.
When leaving, she also ignored questions about her brother-in-law’s arrest, choosing not to engage with a verbal response.
Analysing the interaction, Ms James said: ‘Asked about Andrew’s arrest as she was leaving, her non-verbal response suggested an ability to swat the question off with a degree of charm.’
Detectives have been investigating Andrew’s conduct as a UK trade envoy after emails in the Epstein Files appeared to indicate he shared confidential information with the paedophile, including potential investment opportunities as well as his official visits.
In a statement, Charles today said ‘the law must take its course’ after expressing his ‘deepest concern’ over his younger brother’s arrest.
‘What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities,’ he added.
‘In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.
‘As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.’
Tiny Norfolk town where Andrew was grilled in custody
Aylsham is a historic market town with a population of 10,000.
It is one of three ‘Cittaslow’ towns in the UK, which aim to slow down the pace of life while also enhancing quality of living.
It was founded around 500AD and granted the right to hold a market by Henry VIII in the 16th century.
But despite its quaint and sleepy atmosphere, Aylsham is also home to a large modern police station, where Andrew was interrogated yesterday.
The facility was built in 2011 to replace the outdated former station with a more functional, high-capacity site containing specialised interview rooms and a suite of custody cells.
