Queen Camilla is celebrating her 77th birthday today.
King Charles displayed signs of "inner anxiety," raising concerns for Queen Camilla during the State Opening of Parliament, according to an expert.
Fresh from a busy two-day official visit to the Channel Islands, Charles wore the Imperial State Crown and royal robes for the ceremonial occasion.
In the House of Lords, he delivered the second King's Speech of his reign while undergoing cancer treatment during a challenging year for the Royal Family.
Camilla, celebrating her 77th birthday today, accompanied her husband wearing a stunning diamond diadem and diamond collet necklace. Body language expert Judi James noted that the royal couple's demeanor showed a notable change compared to previous years.
She explained to the Mirror: "There are worse ways of spending a 77th birthday than riding up Whitehall in the State Carriage to sit on a throne beside your husband as he makes his King’s Speech. Camilla’s forward-leaning posture and waves en route suggested a keen and upbeat approach to the ceremony.
"The body language between Charles and Camilla has evolved and changed a little since his illness, and that change was reflected here today. Camilla used to take a backseat role on formal occasions, often showing signs of inner anxiety and taking her cues from her husband’s behavior and movements.
"Now though, she seems to have grown in confidence, authority, and an ability to take the lead at times. She appeared quite happy to greet the crowds with her own royal waves rather than waiting for Charles to wave first and then mirroring him.
"Her glances at Charles, whose red-rimmed eyes suggested tiredness, showed concern for him rather than her own inner anxiety. As always recently, she looked quietly determined to ensure he doesn’t overdo things or to check that he is feeling okay.
"It was Charles showing some micro signals of inner anxiety today, sucking his lips in after his first announcement and fiddling with his robes after he sat down.
"Camilla, by contrast, was able to sit very still, looking quite calm beside him. She placed her hands in the inner steepling pose that she seems to have been taught to adopt as her ‘resting between moments’ position, and she stayed in this pose, projecting a calm solidity."
Despite Camilla's apparent boost in confidence, Judi added that it was still the King who was very much in charge of the ceremonial occasion.
"When the speech had been read, she turned her head to watch Charles prepare to stand with a caring, nurturing glance of concern, although it was clearly still Charles in command when it came to the ceremonial choreography.
"His right hand flapped a little to show Camilla she should walk down the steps first, and as he passed her on the way out, he fondly touched her hip with one hand to remind her he was going past her to take the lead.
"Charles used less of a poker face than his mother when reading the King/Queen’s speech. The late Queen’s delivery tended to be emotionless and inscrutable, while Charles did allow for some very subtle non-verbal tells to give hints of his own enthusiasm or lack of it.
"The section on climate change came after a slightly longer pause and a glance at his audience before he upped his energy a little as he read it out, his shoulders seeming to shimmy slightly in a gesture of approval or suppressed enthusiasm."
