Kate's pride in 'confident' Prince Louis on 'tense' day for King Charles
Kate Middleton appeared confident and was proud of her son Prince Louis this morning as they arrived at church on a "tense" day for King Charles, a body language expert has said. As members of the Royal Family arrived at St George's Chapel in Windsor to attend the Easter Sunday service, the monarch appeared "tense" as he led other royals to church for the first time since his mother's death. Judi James told The Mirror that King Charles showed "anxiety" as he walked into the chapel as he was seen "wringing and clasping" his hands.
The expert said the monarch appeared as if he wanted to "hide away" as he put one hand into his jacket pocket.
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Prince Louis leaving the church after the service (Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Prince George shaking the minister's hand (Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Prince George walked in front of his parents and siblings as they arrived at the church, with Princess Charlotte holding William's hand and Prince Louis holding Kate's hand. Ms James said some people clapped as royals arrived, with fans probably remembering Louis' cheeky behaviour during the Platinum Jubilee last year. But as Louis, looking elegant with a tie, jacket and shorts, strode out today, his mother, the Princess of Wales showed signs of "pride", the body language added.
The Princess of Wales looked 'proud', Judi James said (PA)
Ms James told The Mirror: "The tension was visible in Charles's body language as he led the royals to their Easter service for the first time since his mother's death.
"With his brows steepled in the part frown, he shoved one hand into his jacket pocket as though having a desire to hide away, and then he was wringing and clasping his hands in a gesture of some anxiety as he walked into the Chapel." She added: "William and Kate and their three children walked behind the Tindalls, with Zara, Mike and their girls setting a more relaxed, celebratory Easter mood that might have been 'caught' by the Wales's.
Mike Tindall and Mia Tindall with Zara Tindall and Lena Tindall (front) attending the Easter Mattins Service (PA)
"In a very telling move in terms of family hierarchy and just plain old growing up, it was George who walked ahead alone at the front of his family to lead them in, while William walked behind holding Charlotte's hand and Kate holding onto Louis's. "There seemed to be a sudden ripple of warm applause for Kate and Louis, with many fans probably remembering his playfulness at the Jubilee and keen to praise his much more serious and well-behaved body language here.
"As he strode out, glancing confidently at the fans, Kate glanced down at her son then looked up with a grin of pride that converted to a wide smile at the crowds."
King Charles appeared tense, Judi James said (Yui Mok/AP/REX/Shutterstock)
Today's service was likely to have been a moving moment for the royal family, with the 15th-century chapel being the late Queen's final resting place and the Easter Sunday service the first to take place since her death. Elizabeth II is buried in the church's tiny King George VI Memorial Chapel, alongside Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, and her parents, George VI and the Queen Mother, with their four names inscribed on a new black stone slab set in the floor. Charles, as monarch, has succeeded his mother to become the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
In less than a month's time, he will be crowned alongside Camilla in a religious service in Westminster Abbey.