She’s known as the ice queen of the fashion world, and is reportedly the inspiration behind Meryl Streep’s fearsome Devil Wears Prada character.
But even Anna Wintour found it hard to keep her cool when she landed a spot next to the Queen at Richard Quinn’s runway show.
For her Fashion Week debut, the monarch sat next to the uncharacteristically nervous US Vogue boss, along with British Fashion Council chief Caroline Rush, before the pair eventually relaxed in her presence.
And according to body language expert and leading communications coach Robin Kermode, their relaxed demeanour could be down to the Queen putting the women at ease with her ‘genuine, open smile’.
Here, we reveal what the fashionistas’ body language reveals – and what the Queen really thought of the show.
1. An open smile to help fellow VIPs relax
Body language expert Robin revealed the Queen appeared to genuinely enjoying herself during her LFW debut on Tuesday, her upbeat appearance and open smile helping to relax those around her
After analysing pictures of the trio on the front row, Robin notes that the Queen appeared to genuinely enjoying herself, with her upbeat appearance helping to relax those around her.
‘This completely open smile is one we recognise,’ he said. ‘It’s not easy to be that relaxed in front of the cameras, as we saw on Sunday night with most of the presenters at the BAFTAs.
‘Her smile reaches the upper, outer corner of her eyes, bringing the whole face into a genuine’.
2. Anna’s ‘wringing’ hands betray tense mood
At the beginning of the show Anna was seen wringing her hands, appearing to look anxious as she leaned away from the royal
At the beginning of the show Anna was seen wringing her hands, appearing to look anxious as she leaned away from the royal.
Commenting on the body language Robin said: ‘We can’t see what the Queen is watching here but she is looking string and centred.
‘Anna Wintour has shifted her body away from Her Majesty and has stiff, slightly forced and tight lip corners making her look slightly uncomfortable and formal.’
3. Shades as ‘armour’ show she’s not such an ice queen – while Queen enjoys her first taste of Fashion Week
While British Fashion Council Caroline Rush appeared more at ease sitting with the Queen, Anna still looked slightly fraught throughout the show, wringing her hands
While British Fashion Council CEO Caroline Rush appeared more at ease sitting with the Queen, Anna still appeared slightly fraught throughout the show.
The US Vogue editor opted to keep her sunglasses on throughout the show, having recently admitted she sees the shades as a form of ‘armour’.
Revealing that the Queen looked genuinely interested, Robin commented: ‘Her Majesty again looking totally engaged. Anna Wintour on the left has rather oddly decided to wear sunglasses whilst talking to The Queen.’
Continuing to delve into Anna’s body language, he added: ‘You would never catch HM wearing dark glasses when talking to someone who isn’t also wearing them and probably not indoors.
‘Anna Wintour is digging her right nails into her left hand as a way of dealing with nerves and as a comforting gesture. It shows she is not totally relaxed in this scenario.
‘Even though we cannot see her eyes under the glasses, the smile looks slightly forced as the upper part of the face doesn’t seem completely congruent.’
4. Mirroring each other’s body language
As the show developed the women were seen relaxing, with all three of them displaying a smile as they watched the show
However as the show developed the women were seen relaxing, with all three of them displaying a smile as they watched the show.
Crediting the Queen for making them feel at ease, Robin observed: ‘Both women next to her have their weight slightly leaning in towards The Queen.
‘This show just how comfortable The Queen has made them feel – they could have opted for the neutral, even weight stance.’
And the women’s body language appears to mirror each other, with Robin adding: ‘All three women hold their hands together. The outer two women hold theirs lower, which is a very relaxed position, considering who they are sitting next to.
‘The Queen, as usual, has opted for an even weight, very centred stance, with her hands comfortably on her lap. Her open face suggests she is genuinely interested in what she’s looking at.’