King Charles III appeared noticeably less confident than Prince William during the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, according to a body-language expert, as protests linked to the Prince Andrew scandal unfolded outside the historic venue.
As members of the royal family arrived for the annual ceremony in London, anti-monarchy activists from the group Republic gathered nearby holding signs that read “Abolish the monarchy,” “Down with the crown,” and “What did you know?” — referencing Andrew’s connection to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Some protesters also displayed images of Andrew from the Epstein files while chanting “Not my King” and “Charlie, Charlie, time to go.” The royals did not respond to the protests and walked calmly into the abbey.
Body-language expert Judi James said that while William and Catherine, Princess of Wales appeared composed and confident, the King displayed subtle signs of anxiety during his arrival.
According to James, William and Kate projected determination through several visible cues — including their choice of classic navy outfits, purposeful walking pace, and synchronized movements as they approached the venue.
“They appeared to be showing non-verbal signals of peak confidence,” James explained, suggesting the couple were signaling a desire to focus on royal duties despite the surrounding controversy.
She noted that William’s brisk, military-style stride and the couple’s coordinated walk reflected a “clean slate” approach — an attempt to show strength and stability amid ongoing royal turmoil.
In contrast, James observed that Charles seemed “less assured” during his short walk from the car to the abbey entrance. She pointed to several self-comforting gestures, including repeatedly placing his hand in and out of his jacket pocket, adjusting his tie, and patting his pocket.
“These looked like self-soothing rituals prompted by inner anxiety,” she said.
Once inside Westminster Abbey, however, the atmosphere appeared warmer. The senior royals greeted each other with hugs, cheek kisses, and affectionate gestures — a moment James described as resembling a “survivors club” after a period of intense scrutiny for the monarchy.
The service marked the first major royal event of the year and the first time senior members of the royal family had gathered publicly since Andrew’s recent arrest.
Notably absent from the ceremony were Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, who were attending the Winter Paralympics Milan Cortina 2026 in Italy. Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, were also not present.
Ahead of the service, Charles released his annual Commonwealth message emphasizing the organization’s importance in a world facing rising geopolitical tensions. He described the Commonwealth as a “precious” network capable of strengthening trade, cooperation, and environmental protection among its member nations.
