Kate and King send 'strong royal reminder' with subtle moves amid Harry drama
The Royal Family came together for a special service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey today to mark 80 years since VE Day - and one expert believes both the King and Princess of Wales sent a strong message
The King and Princess of Wales sent a 'royal reminder' with their subtle gestures at a special service to mark 80 years since VE Day, according to an expert. A huge gathering of royals attended the service at Westminster Abbey today, where they honoured the sacrifices of those who brought peace to Europe.
They all observed a national two-minute silence before the King and Prince William laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. The service saw readings from Prime Minister Keir Starmer while Sir Winston Churchill's great-great grandson Alexander Churchill, aged 10, lit the VE Day 80th candle of peace.
The VE Day service and commemorations come after last week, when Prince Harry criticised his royal relatives after losing his security case at the Court of Appeal. And body language expert Judi James said it showed the royals "at their best" and reminded everyone of their "impeccable confidence and professionalism".
At the end of the moving ceremony, as the royals processed out of the Abbey, the Firm met veterans in the nave at the end of the service. William warmly placed his hand on one veteran's shoulder as he chatted to the former serviceman who stood to speak with the prince and Kate.
The princess crouched down to meet one woman, holding her hand as she chatted to the veteran, who was wearing medals and sat in her wheelchair. Meanwhile, the King was seen deep in enthusiastic conversation with several veterans, bending close to speak to them.
Judi James told the Mirror: "There was a strong message from the body language of the royals today that they had established a 'New Normal' in terms of going back to basics. This was a professional and drama-free appearance.
"Charles looked touched and delighted to be sharing some jokes and gentle touch rituals with the veterans while William and Kate presented the calm elegance of the next generation.
"It was Kate being fully immersive during the greeting and chats to the veterans after the service, who illustrated how royal warmth really can look. Her conversations looked animated and authentic, and when she met a woman in a wheelchair, she bent right down to squat on her heels to talk eye-to-eye, with several tactile moments.
"Kate's smile only faltered once when she was warned that she needed to move outside. Her expression became firmer, and she seemed to suggest that she wouldn't be hurried in her chats with the people that this service was all about.
"Like his daughter-in-law, Charles has become much more tactile with the people he meets. He held hands and arms, and he offered some affectionate pats in a way that he would not have done so naturally prior to his illness." Judi added: "As a display of solid, impeccable confidence and professionalism, the Firm turned out an immaculate performance today, reminding the public how royals used to be before two generations of drama. The focus here was on the veterans rather than the royals."
On May 8 1945, the nation celebrated Victory in Europe (VE) Day, as church bells rang out across the country and people gathered to revel in the end of hostilities, and crowds famously gathered outside Buckingham Palace and called for King George VI.
After almost six years of fighting against Hitler's Nazi regime, peace was declared, with only the conflict against Japan to be concluded. Four days of events commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day will culminate tonight with a concert in London's Horse Guards Parade attended by the King and Queen, with performances by The Darkness, Toploader, and classical singer Sir Willard White.
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