Prince William was a ‘clear leader’ at Queen’s vigil, body language expert claims

Prince William was the ‘clear leader’ of the group and proved himself as a ‘future king’ as he joined his cousins to mourn their grandmother at a vigil on Saturday night, a body language expert has claimed.

The new Prince of Wales, 40, joined the Queen’s other seven grandchildren to stand by her coffin as she lay in state in Westminster Hall as weeping mourners filed past last night.

Speaking to FEMAIL, body language expert Judi James revealed William showed himself as ‘next in line’ while brother Harry looked ‘quietly emotional’ and ‘proud to be back in uniform.  

Speaking to FEMAIL, body language expert Judi James revealed William showed himself as ‘next in line’ while brother Harry (pictured together) looked ‘quietly emotional’ and ‘proud to be back in uniform

Meanwhile, their ‘peacemaker’ cousins Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips provided a ‘provide a supportive presence’ to Harry, William as well as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.

‘Leading the grandchildren and with his jaw firmly set, William’s body language showed acutely how much he has stepped up in terms of his role of Prince of Wales and next King in line since the death of the Queen,’ she said.  

‘William has lost some of his shyness and anxiety signals over the last few days as he has appeared to have grown in stature and confidence.’

Judi also explained that William has ‘grown in confidence’ while Harry was ‘clearly proud’ to be allowed back in uniform, after a U-turn allowed him to wear it.

Meanwhile, their ‘peacemaker’ cousins Zara Tindall (pictured) and Peter Phillips provided a ‘provide a supportive presence’ to Harry, William as well as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn 

Judi also explained that William has ‘grown in confidence’ while Harry was ‘clearly proud’ to be allowed back in uniform, after a U-turn allowed him to wear it. The brothers are pictured together

Judi also explained that Harry’s hat peak and his slightly dipped head meant we could only see the rather clamped, straight line of his mouth. He is pictured with his brother and cousins

‘William was clearly the instigator and leader of the gathering with his wife and Harry and Meghan at Windsor and handled the difficult outing with high levels of physical confidence,’ Judi said.

‘His walkabout in the crowd prior to the vigil showed his engaging, social side and here at the vigil itself he looked like the rock that the others were drawing strength from.

‘Harry walked behind his brother and while William’s determined-looking facial expression with a reflective gaze and a slight working of his jaw was visible.

Prince William bows his head as he stands beside his grandmother’s coffin in Westminster Hall

The Queen’s four grandchildren stand around her coffin during their own vigil, similar to the one held by their parents on Friday

‘Harry’s hat peak and his slightly dipped head meant we could only see the rather clamped, straight line of his mouth. 

‘His posture and his marching walk reflected pride in the fact he was in uniform again but this was more of a quietly emotional appearance overall.’ 

‘William led the group and he and Harry were the only siblings not walking side by side. In his uniform, Harry became pure military: expressionless and upright with his clamped mouth just a bland horizontal line.

Judi also explained that all eight of the grandchildren showed ‘formidable communal bravery’.   

‘Marching out in step they silently took their places around her coffin and from the moment they adopted their poses the stillness from all of them was incredible. 

‘Even in close-up it was almost impossible to see them even breathing. They stemmed any tears and they showed no signs of nervousness or tension, just dignity and sense of duty,’ she explained.

She added that Princess Anne’s children Zara and Peter were a ‘supportive presence’ to William and Harry. 

‘With Zara using a very determined and confident walk, although she did falter at the very last moment, either dropping something or losing a shoe at the top of the steps and halting the line while she bent to retrieve it. 

‘Both Zara and Peter’s faces showed a certain amount of muscle tension with a look of determination in the set of their jaws.

‘Beatrice and Eugenie have been so openly emotional about the loss of their grandmother, both weeping and hugging each other or holding hands but last night they applied a kind of regal self-control, exchanging no glances or looks of support but managing their vigils in stillness and silence. ‘