Prince Andrew performed a "haunting gesture" as he sought to signal his authority and bravado during a rare public outing, a body language expert has claimed.
The disgraced Duke of York appeared to lead a group of royals, including his ex-wife Fergie, Princess Beatrice, Princess Anne and Zara Tindall, as they walked to St George's Chapel in Windsor today for a memorial service for the late King Constantine of Greece.
Andrew was forced to step down from public life two years ago following a car crash interview on BBC Newsnight about his connections to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. He was also later stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages with the approval of his mother, the late Queen. However, he is believed to have attended today's event as he was invited by the Greek Royal Family and it was classed as a private family event rather than a public one.
Andrew lead the group of royals walking to the chapel (PA)According to body language expert Judi James, as Andrew arrived at the chapel alongside his former wife, he took a very telling position. She told the Mirror: "Walking in the front line with Anne's husband Tim, Andrew seems to have placed himself in the role of royal sheepdog, walking ahead and slightly to the side while glancing back to check everyone is keeping up and herded into the church. He even walks backwards at one point to check out the others as they are greeting their host by the door.
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"His dominant and emphatic hand gesticulation is another power move that world leaders use to suggest dominance and authority when walking with other leaders. This sense of signalled authority is only emphasised when Andrew is seen chatting to the clergyman in full regalia who is hosting them, standing up close and personal and actually holding the man by the upper arm.
The Duke of York with his former wife Fergie (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)"Andrew even delivers a casual power pat on the bishop as he walks away, which is a very odd gesture of superiority that few people would land on a clergyman like this.
"It's Andrews wide mirthless grin that is the most haunting gesture here though. Performed at a memorial service when everyone else is looking solemn, it looks lacking in empathy. It arrives from nowhere and it disappears just as quickly, hinting that this might have been a message of bravado from Andrew to the cameras and the public rather than a signal of authentic pleasure."
Andrew's appearance at the service today came as Prince William pulled out of attending the memorial service for his late godfather due to a personal matter. Kensington Palace would not elaborate further but said the Princess of Wales, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, continues to be doing well.
William, who was due to deliver a reading, called the Greek royal family who were attending the service in St George’s Chapel to let them know he was unable to attend. Kate is away from official royal engagements until after Easter following major surgery in January.
King Charles was also missing the service as he continued treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. He was later seen driving into his London home Clarence House. The King was close to his second cousin Constantine, who was a first cousin once removed and sailing partner of the late Duke of Edinburgh. Constantine died at the age of 82 in January last year, decades after being toppled from the throne in a military coup.
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