PRINCE Harry wanted more of a leading role at the Queen’s service today, a body language expert has revealed.
The Duke of Sussex – who has been barred from wearing military uniform – watched on as his late grandmother’s coffin was carried into Westminster Hall this afternoon.
The Duke wanted a more central role in proceedings, according to a body language expert
Prince Harry looked emotional during the service
Harry held hands with Meghan following the service
A body language expert believes Harry wanted to help carrying the coffin
Body language expert Judi James claims the prince’s expressions showed he wanted to do more during the service and help carry the coffin.
She told HOAR Online: “Harry’s fingers seemed to clench and unclench a couple of times as though steeling himself for the sight of the coffin and his eyes took on a rather haunted expression, with steepled brows illustrating his sadness.
“As he watch the coffin being lowered at the end of the walk, one hand stroked his frock coat in a self-comfort ritual and his shoulders rolled gently as though miming the act of loading and carrying the coffin, suggesting he would have liked to be the one helping to carry it.”
Harry held hands with wife Meghan Markle as they followed William and Kate out of Westminster Hall following the service for The Queen as she begins a period of lying in state.
Heads bowed, The Sussexes appeared grief-stricken as the emotional procession drew to a close.
Prior to the service, William and Harry walked side-by-side behind the Queen’s coffin as they reunited in grief for the Royal procession.
The Duke of Sussex stood with his brother to his right and Princess Anne’s son, Peter Phillips, to his left.
At Prince Philip’s funeral last year – the feuding brothers were kept apart by Mr Phillips.
William and Harry marched in the second of three rows in the ten-strong procession which left Buckingham Palace at 2.22pm.
The Imperial State Crown glistened on a cushion atop the Royal Standard which draped over Her Majesty’s coffin.
King Charles led the Royals – flanked to the left by Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and then Prince Edward.
Expert Judi said the brothers walking shoulder-to-shoulder was reminiscent of when they walked behind Princess Diana’s coffin 25 years ago.
She said: “William and Harry walked side by side behind the coffin with no apparent need to have Peter Philips walk in between them as some kind of buffer, as they did at Philip’s funeral.
It comes as…
- Princes William and Harry stood shoulder to shoulder in the emotional walk from Buckingham Palace
- Meghan Markle followed the procession in a car with Sophie while Princess Kate and Camilla were driven to Westminster Hall
- Harry and Andrew wore suits after being banned from wearing military uniforms
- No 10 revealed an update on calls for an annual bank holiday after a petition gathered thousands of signatures
“As a result we saw body language that was so reminiscent of the time when, as young boys, they walked ashen-faced behind their mother’s coffin.”
Judi thinks banning Harry from wearing his military uniform impacted his ability to conceal his emotions from the world.
His lack of armour left him with nothing to hide behind, with Judi claiming it left his “sadness” on full display as he said goodbye to his grandmother.
She added: “William, in uniform, had the emotional advantage of walking in a more military way while Harry’s walk was a little more relaxed beside him.
“The space between them was still wide but they were three men following the found children of the Queen and therefore walking in the gaps.
“William maintained a military-style poker face until he was in the chapel and Kate moved to stand beside him.
“At this point his face seemed to crumple very subtly, with his brows puckering in the middle to create an expression of open grief.”
