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It’s been a difficult start to the year for the Royal Family, from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s announcement they are quitting as senior members to the news of Peter and Autumn Phillips’ split last night.
Then there’s the ongoing drama surrounding Prince Andrew and his friendship with disgraced billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
But it was very much business as usual today, as Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Stanford Hall in Loughborough for a rare joint engagement.
The new ‘fab four’ certainly did not let any strain or tension within the ranks show as they smiled and animatedly greeted staff and patients.
It was very much business as usual today, as Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Stanford Hall in Loughborough
According to body language expert Judi James, the foursome demonstrated a determination to present a united front – and respect the rules of the monarchy.
From letting Charles take the lead to Kate and Camilla’s relaxed chat, here she tells FEMAIL how their body language spoke volumes about their desire to keep The Firm together.
The new Royal A-Team
‘There’s the feeling of a new royal A-Team here as Charles and Camilla make an unusual appearance with William and Kate in what looks a little like a royal Firm overload,’ Judi said.
‘There might have been several reasons for the lack of public appearances between these two couples, but there have been rumours of a long-term lack of rapport between William and his father.
There’s the feeling of a new royal A-Team here as Charles and Camilla make an unusual appearance with William and Kate in what looks a little like a royal Firm overload, says Judi
‘There was also a sense that Harry’s flight from the royal fold might just have created closer ties between Charles and William, as the two future kings pulled rank as they met to discuss their formal response to Harry and Meghan’s shock departure.’
Kate the ‘unifier’
Judi observed it’s ‘clear’ the royals are currently keen to promote a united front.
‘It’s interesting to see how Kate’s role of unifier and PR ambassador is as visible from her body language here as it was when she made an effort to show friendship with Meghan on their Christmas Day walk to church in 2018, in the midst of all the speculation that the two wives had fallen out,’ she said.
‘Kate is very much the royal family’s star turn at present, as she has a way of putting a positive spin on poses that might otherwise appear less warm and upbeat.’
Kate is clearly set on being seen chatting to Camilla here, smiling and bending her head to look engaged and attentive, even though Camilla’s face is turned away and concealed by the wide hat brim
Kate chatted to Camilla as they followed Prince Charles into the rehabilitation on the rare joint engagement today
Judi says Kate’s role of unifier and PR ambassador is as visible from her body language today as it was when she made an effort to show friendship with Meghan on their Christmas Day walk to church in 2018, in the midst of all the speculation that the two wives had fallen out (pictured)
Kate applies the same charming smile and full attention signals to her husband as they follow Charles and Camilla on the outing
Judi added that Kate is ‘clearly set on being seen chatting to Camilla’, and was ‘smiling and bending her head to look engaged and attentive’ – even though Camilla’s face is turned away and concealed by her wide hat brim.
‘Kate then applies the same charming smile and full attention signals to her husband as they follow Charles and Camilla on the outing,’ Judi observed.
Charles the leader
‘Charles is in full regal mode here, taking to the front of the poses and adopting a new air of energy and status,’ Judi said.
Charles is in full regal mode here, taking to the front of the poses and adopting a new air of energy and status
‘He still uses the signature gesture of some social reluctance when he stuffs one or both hands into his jacket pockets, but his back is upright and his chain is raised in a way that suggests he sees himself as a fully-fledged stand-in for the Queen.
‘The family chat and grouping does still look a little bit like work in progress as, apart from Kate’s, the smiles appear slightly incongruent and forced.
‘But the intentional gestures and displays suggest a desire to show unity from the most central figures in the Firm, even if the sad news about Peter Philip’s marital break-up suggests the crumbling relationships around these four ‘super-royals’ is still going on.’
Judi observed how Charles still uses the signature gesture of some social reluctance when he stuffs one or both hands into his jacket pockets, but his back is upright and his chain is raised in a way that suggests he sees himself as a fully-fledged stand-in for the Queen
Today the royals were given a tour of the rehabilitation facility, which caters to injured military personnel, including a visit to the prosthetics workshop.
In the gym the royals met patients playing wheelchair basketball as part of their treatment – and Prince William, 37, gamely sat in a chair to try and score a basket.
The prince’s attempt went wide but jovial Charles, 71, was on hand to console his son and jokingly rubbed William’s shoulders as he commiserated in the chair.
Meanwhile his wife Kate, 38, elegantly dressed in a military-style jacket by Alexander McQueen, spent time speaking to patients about the important role mental health care played in their rehabilitation.
The visit comes as the Royal Family continues to adjust to the shift in responsibilities in the wake of Megxit, which saw the Duke and Duchess of Sussex step back from their roles as senior royals.
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