Prince William's gesture shows 'inner tension' as he strives to be 'family rock'

ok.co.uk:

The Prince of Wales and his father, King Charles, both showed signs of "inner tension" during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, a leading body language expert has claimed.

Speaking to The Mirror, the expert noted that both royals were blinking rapidly as they commemorated the end of the First World War and other conflicts at the annual event.

Body language expert Judi James told the paper: "Rapid blinking at an increased rate, as both William and Charles were doing, tends to be caused either by a suppression of tears or it can be a physiological response that is down to an increase in adrenalin prompted by tension, anxiety or even anger!" Judi added: "In Charles' case, I would call the 'tears option' as his eyes did look damp and the way he rolled his eyes upward a couple of times would be another technique to avoid actually shedding tears." However, she noted for William there was "staccato blinking that was more frequent, which would say more about inner tension". "He seems to be presenting himself as the family rock that his father can rely on but that display of strength and calm could be underpinned by some inner tension in terms of getting it right," Judi explained.

The expert shared how William may have been keen to avoid "showing any vulnerability" as his gestures required effort as he stood by his father. "William's body language now places him as a beacon of calm and strength at formal, traditional royal events like this," Judi detailed.