Prince Andrew’s power play was on full display after he made a “haunting gesture” during a rare public appearance for King Constantine of Greece’s memorial service in Windsor, a body language expert has claimed.
The Duke of York arrived with the rest of the Royal Family at St George’s Chapel and sparked fierce backlash for his appearance with the royals after his fall from grace.
Andrew was forced to step down as a working royal due to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, however, it is understood he was invited to the thanksgiving service by the Greek royal family as it is a private family event.
Now body language expert Judi James claimed the duke seemed to have placed himself in the role of “royal sheepdog” with other power moves on full show as he was pictured leading the royals to church.
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.
“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.
“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.”
But the expert noted the duke’s “most daunting gesture” is his “wide mirthless grin”.
She explained: “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.”
Prince William missed the service due to a “personal matter”, which is not linked to his wife, Princess Kate’s condition, who is “doing well”, according to Kensington Palace.
King Charles also missed the service as he undergoes cancer treatment.
