Body language expert reads between the lines as Harry and William reunite
Michael Kelly, a body language expert has weighed in for 7 News, as Prince William and Harry were seen conversing together after their grandfather Prince Philip’s funeral service on Saturday AEST.
By Alex Turner-Cohen and Elizabeth Daoud for 7NEWS
PUBLISHED: 18/04/2021
A body language expert has weighed in as Prince William and Harry were seen conversing together after their grandfather Prince Philip’s funeral service on Saturday AEST.
The estranged brothers were spotted walking and chatting together, along with William’s wife Kate, right outside the church.
Harry went to thank the Archbishop of Canterbury outside the church and then went over to speak with Kate, the duchess of Cambridge, where he was joined by his brother William.
Michael Kelly, a body language and speech expert, said all the tension slid away as the brothers’ conversed.
“It seemed like there’s no rancour at all. (The brothers) could have been walking down the country lane,” he told 7NEWS.com.au.
That’s despite a fraught history between William, 38, and his younger brother Harry, 36.
There have long been speculations about a rift between the royal relatives, which was all but confirmed during an explosive interview with Oprah last month.
As Meghan and Harry spilled all in the controversial interview, Harry spoke about his difficult relationship with Prince William.
“The relationship is space at the moment and time heals all things, hopefully,” he said at the time.
During the funeral service, Princes William and Harry did not line up shoulder to shoulder as they took their places for the procession.
William and Harry’s cousin Peter Phillips stood between the princes as they prepared to escort the coffin to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Kelly said although the body language was tense and stressed, this was most likely because of the circumstances of their grandfather’s passing.
He also pointed out that the configuration of the brothers had been pre-arranged by the queen and the separation was not an indication of any ill will between them.
‘No rancour, no animosity’
After the funeral, Prince William was mask-less as they walked and talked outside but Prince Harry kept his mask on – which makes it more difficult to read his facial expressions.
But Kelly is certain that reports of the brother’s friction must be exaggerated.
“They could have been walking down the golf course,” the body language expert said.
“There wasn’t any tension.”
Kelly said their shoulders were relaxed and everyone appeared at ease on the short walk.
The way they were leaning in together appeared almost “confidential”, like the brothers were sharing a secret.
He said this was “consistent with the occasion of their grandfather’s funeral”, when personal differences should be put aside.
Kelly also said Harry appeared to be getting along well with his sister-in-law, Kate.
“It seemed like he was (like this with) Kate as well – no rancour, no animosity. They seemed in general just sombre”.
View the original article here