King Charles showed “authentic happiness” and “gratitude” during his joint appearance with Prince William, according to a royal commentator.
Prince William and Charles were all smiles and laughter during a rare father-and-son appearance earlier this week.
The pair met at an Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop for the King to officially hand over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to William.
Speaking to GB News, body language expert Judi James said: “Charles’s illness seems to have unlocked something inside that means we are now treated to a more relaxed and openly emotional man and William’s body language signals here suggest he is delighted to be harvesting some of this late-in-life emotional epiphany from his father.
King Charles and Prince William looked in good spirits at an Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop
PA
“Charles’s face is now wreathed in smiles of authentic happiness and even gratitude at not just meeting people but also having some bonds of sharing and empathy with them too, now.”
The King was diagnosed with a form of cancer in February but was given the all-clear by doctors to return to his duties last month.
James continued: “His illness seems to have been a great status-leveller but for his elder son there is also the treat of seeing his father not only recover but also relaxing in terms of his ability to show affection and have fun in public.
“The body language here then looks less about the bestowing of titles and more about a father sharing some time with his son.
Royal commentator Judi James said the King looked like an “openly emotional” man
PA
“There is a lot of shared smiling and humour and William leans in to enjoy the view of his father being happy.
“The two men walk with what looks like energy and vigour too. There are no signals here that William is needing to keep a concerned or watchful eye on his father.”
During his appearance, the King spoke about the side effects of cancer treatment to British Army veteran Aaron Mapplebeck.
Mapplebeck said he underwent chemotherapy last year for testicular cancer and lost his sense of taste.
Charles handed over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to Prince William
PA
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The King revealed this had also happened to him.
The 75-year-old monarch, who held the role of Colonel-in-Chief for 31 years, admitted that the handover was “tinged with great sadness” but hoped that the Army Corps would continue to go from “strength to strength.”
Charles said: “Let me just say what a great joy it is to be with you even briefly on this occasion but also it is tinged with great sadness after 32 years of knowing you all, admiring your many activities and achievements through the time that I’ve been lucky enough to be colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps.
“I do hope you’ll go from strength to strength in the future with the Prince of Wales as your new colonel-in-chief. The great thing is he’s a very good pilot indeed – so that’s encouraging.”
