Pictures taken of the Prince of Wales and his in-laws show just how strong their family bond is, according to body language expert Judi James.

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William showed up at the event without Kate, but was spotted in conversation with Carole and Zara Tindall looking at ease, Judi said.

She explained: “There’s something about William’s large top hat that gives him the look of a schoolboy here and that seems to have rather sweetly triggered some maternal-looking body language responses from his mother-in-law Carole and his cousin Zara.”

“Standing in close proximity to signal them as a very relaxed and close family unit, Carole’s eye-attention is firmly on William as she listens to him speak, showing active listening signals and making
this look like a deeper, warmer and fonder chat than just Ascot small-talk.

“With Zara and Carole in doting attendance, William’s facial expressions suggest some meaningful subject-matter as his brows steeple upward and his hand is raised in a ‘claw’ shape to help make his point.

“The touch ritual from Zara suggests high levels of maternal support, care and bonding though.

“Standing in a happily compliant pose with his lower lip sucked in as he looks at the two women, William watches while Zara seems to lean an arm out to touch or draw attention to his lapel badges, showing them to Carole like two proud aunties at school open day.

“In terms of royal status and pecking order this is a natural-looking override of subtly empathetic displays from two women clearly keen to ensure William’s awareness of their support and affection as a family.”

William and Carole were also spotted together on the balcony, looking to be happy and comfortable in each other’s company, Judi continued.

“It’s so clear that the presence of Kate’s mother and father, who have had a very parental role in William’s life, creates what looks like a safe place for William to relax and have fun in the wake of all the worries over his wife’s illness,” she explained.

In fact, William looked just like his youngest, Prince Louis with his “playful, open-mouthed display of laughter,” Judi said.

Although Kate didn’t make an appearance at Royal Ascot, she did make her long awaited return just days ago.

Kate, 42, was keen to ensure that her father-in-law remained the focus during Trooping the Colour, Judi previously told Fabulous.

“In a tradition created by her husband’s granny, Kate’s body language here showed the world what being a royal is all about: elegant, calm and stoic with not one smallest jot of self-pity or drama.

“Kate’s non-verbal messages seem to signal a smiling determination to reassure the public and her own children and to get on with the job. 

“She made it clear in her written message that this is a step towards a return, not the start of it but even from the glimpses of her in the carriage her upright back and her signature smile showed a desire to show resilience and poise.”

And Judi says that Kate’s outfit choice may have been a deliberate attempt to draw attention away from herself.

“There was a hint of discretion or maybe a desire to not upstage in the way Kate’s hat brim was tilted to partially hide her face in the carriage but there were some turning to smile and some smiling conversations with her three children,” she adds. 

“Her wave to the crown involved closed rather than spread fingers and it was a quick, subtle movement of acknowledgement, again suggesting a desire to avoid stealing the attention on the celebration of the King’s birthday.”

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