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Prince William’s three gestures in the face of a group of hecklers on a royal visit shows he’s taken a leaf out of another royal’s book, according to a body language expert.
Video footage shared on X shows the Prince of Wales smile and wave despite the small smattering of boos as he left the Ulster University campus in Belfast city centre yesterday. One reporter at the scene said William faced a “less than warm reaction” as he made his way to a car.
Shouts also appeared to demand more action from the future King on Palestine and Gaza, with the social media clip finishing with chants of “Free Palestine”. According to body language expert Judi James, William has the perfect role model to study when it comes to situations like this – and explained the prince tried to use a “diffusing technique”.
In Pictures: Prince William whistlestop tour of Northern Ireland
Read more: Prince William visits Northern Ireland
She told the Mirror: “William has the perfect royal role model in terms of responding to hecklers. His father Charles has always used extreme performances of obliviousness whether he’s being shot at, pelted by eggs or yelled at by the crowds.
“It’s a good diffusing technique and one that William appears to be trying to copy, although there is one body language tell that suggests he is feeling rather vulnerable or awkward.
“As he walks to his car he makes three auto-contact gestures, touching and pulling at his tie. Apart from that he keeps his body language behaviours modest and rather self-effacing, offering low waves and a shy-looking smile.”
In February, William called for an end to the fighting in Gaza in an unprecedented royal intervention, writing that the “terrible human cost” of the conflict had seen “too many killed”. He said: “I, like so many others, want to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible.”
He also highlighted the desperate need for more humanitarian support for the civilians of Gaza and called on Hamas to release its remaining Israeli hostages. The heir’s exit appeared to be a contrast from earlier scenes during his visit to the university, which saw William swarmed by adoring crowds.
In one instance, a student asked the Prince to film a video message for a friend who couldn’t be there for his visit. William had a jam-packed schedule during his trip to Northern Ireland. In the afternoon, he visited Ulster University’s Belfast City Campus Centre to meet pupils who are learning about visual production and visited its state-of-the-art studio.
The studio is part of an Ulster University drive to train up the next generation of experts in the creative sector, which is estimated to contribute £1.4bn to the local economy and employs more than 24,000 people.
Earlier, he started the day with a visit to a project aimed at helping to prevent homelessness for young people leaving care. The prince was welcomed to The Foyer, a temporary accommodation and support service for young people experiencing homelessness operated by the Simon Community.
The Simon Community is a member of the Northern Ireland element of William’s Homewards project aimed at tackling homelessness. During his visit to The Foyer, William spoke to young people about their experiences and the support they have received.
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