THE KING has made his first public appearance at today’s Easter event since his cancer diagnosis and according to a body language expert, is keen to ‘reassure the public’.
Charles, 75, joined Queen Camilla and other members of the royal family for the annual Easter Mattins Service at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
The monarch led a trimmed-down list of royals, including Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and the Duchess of York, at the “sacred” Easter Sunday church service.
The King stepped back from public appearances in early February when he announced that he would undergo treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer.
He has continued to carry out his state duties, including regular meetings with the Prime Minister and reviewing and signing government documents.
And today’s service marks the first time Charles has returned to the public eye in nearly two months.
Judi James exclusively told Fabulous: “Charles uses three key gestures and body language rituals here to reassure a nation that has been worried about his health.”
CHARLES’ SMILE
Judi noticed Charles’ beaming smile, as she explained: “First there is his smile. This is no rictus or grimace that could suggest effort to produce.
“From the moment he steps quite steadily from his car his mouth is open in a congruent, beaming smile.
“His cheeks are raised and rounded despite the fact his face is a little less fuller and the grooves at the sides of his mouth and on his cheeks produce the ‘wreathed’ effect that signals genuine good humour.”
COMEDY SIGNS
The body language pro also picked up on the King’s comedy signals, as she added: “Second are his comedy signals.
“He is already pulling a small and maybe self-effacing comedy mouth shape as he greets the clergy and as he turns to greet the waiting crowd his brows raise in recognition and he begins to laugh and point as though sharing a joke.
“It’s the King in his signature ‘waggish’ mode.”
VOLLEY OF WAVES
Finally, Judi claimed that Charles’ waves signal his affection for the public.
Judi concluded: “Last is his volley of waves to the fans. The first is a fluttering wave that signals affection, while the three waves that follow tell us he is missing the public and in no real hurry to get inside the abbey and out of sight of the cameras and spotlight.
It’s the King in his signature ‘waggish’ mode
Judi James
“Charles’s shoulders might be a little more hunched here but in terms of spirit and even humour there are virtually no changes.”
ABSOLUTE DELIGHT
Following the Church service, Judi told Fabulous: “The meet and greet with the crowd was an unexpected bonus and despite looking rather pale and a little frail, Charles’s body language showed nothing but enthusiasm and absolute delight to be connecting with the public again.
“He rubbed his hands in a gesture of anticipation as he left the abbey and this time his wave to the crowd was more of a high ‘hail’ gesture of what looked like victory.
“He strode straight over to the crowd with Camilla following and the wide beam on his face revealed his delight as he did so.
“Charles’s handshakes and chats were unhurried and involved eye-engage, a thumb-jerk, some pointing and laughter and small conversations with individuals.
“There was one small sign that this outing had cost the King dear in terms of energy. As he walked to his car he placed one hand on the back to steady himself a little before getting in.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children were not present at today’s event as Kate, 42, is undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were also not in attendance as they continue to live in California since stepping down as senior royals in 2020.
Today’s Easter celebration comes after Fabulous previously reported the four heartbreaking reasons why Easter will be a ‘difficult’ time for the King.
According to royal author Phil Dampier, Easter will still be a very “difficult” time for King Charles, for a variety of heartbreaking reasons.
Not only due to Kate’s absence, but it is also the death anniversary of his father Prince Philip, as well as his grandmother the Queen mother.
Step by step Easter Sunday schedule
The 75-year-old monarch will attend the traditional Easter Sunday church service at Windsor Castle.
Here is a step by step schedule of how Easter Sunday will play out:
- Charles and Queen Camilla will walk to St George’s Chapel.
- Entering through the Galilee Porch, they will wave and greet a small crowd.
- The King and Queen will take their seats away from the rest of the congregation.
- He is expected to be seen leaving the church with the Queen.
- Charles will then not attend a post-service reception or host a private family lunch.
Phil told Fabulous: “It’s great news that the King is well enough to accompany the Queen and other members of the Royal Family to the service at Windsor on Easter Sunday.
“But it will be a poignant day and holiday period for him as he reflects on Easters past.”
According to Phil: “His beloved father Prince Philip died three years ago on Easter Sunday aged 99, just two months short of his 100th birthday.
“Charles had planned a birthday party for him but he told him, ‘I’d still have to be here wouldn’t I?’ Charles replied, ‘I knew you’d say that.’
“For long periods of his life the pair were not close but in later years the bond between them was very strong and the King grew to love and respect his father much more.”
Why Charles bravely shared his cancer diagnosis
KING Charles has bravely broken with royal protocol by sharing his cancer diagnosis.
Senior royals have in past been tight-lipped about their health battles.
The last top royal diagnosed with cancer was Charles’s grandfather George VI.
Heavy smoker George had his left lung removed for “structural abnormalities” in September 1951, months before he died.
The “abnormalities” were actually a life-threatening carcinoma, but the public never learned about George’s cancer ordeal.
Buckingham Palace said Charles wanted to share his cancer diagnosis to boost “public understanding” for cancer patients worldwide.
Not only this, but Phil commented: “I’m sure the King misses his father and of course his mother The Queen and grandmother the Queen Mum.
“They are all buried together in St George’s Chapel and I’m sure he and Camilla will be thinking of them and probably visit their graves.
“The Queen Mum died on Good Friday of Easter 2002 so there is another anniversary there.”
As well as this, Phil explained: “With the Prince and Princess of Wales absent, and their children as well, the King will be thinking of them in particular and of course Kate, who he has supported as they both fight cancer.
“They have reportedly grown a lot closer because of their shared plight and he will be looking forward to future Easters when they are both well again.
“Other members of the family will be delighted to see the King but they will probably have to cut down on the hugs and kisses so that he doesn’t catch any infections.
“It will be a reflective time for all and it reminds us that the royals are human like the rest of us.”
And of course, Easter without his mother is sure to be challenging enough for the monarch.
Phil concluded: “Easter at Windsor was always a big tradition for the late Queen and she took the religious element very seriously but also loved seeing many members of her family.
“The late Queen Elizabeth’s deep Christian faith got her through a lot of difficult times and I’m sure Charles will also draw strength from seeing his family and worshipping at the chapel.”
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