The Queen and Prince Philip’s secret signals of love explained by a body language expert

The Queen and Prince Philip have always been rather subtle in public when it comes to their relationship, preferring not to indulge in displays of public affection.

However, while the pair are subdued in their body language, the signs of their love, which has lasted for seven decades, are obvious to the trained eye.

Prince Philip has supported the Queen on many official public outings during the course of the their marriage.

What does a body language expert have to say about their relationship? Judi James looked at four recent snapshots of the royal couple to give her professional opinion.

Judi said: “The Queen has historically combined duty with a suppression of body language displays in public, but Prince Philip has always seemed to be her very charming Achilles heel when it comes to those odd moments of emotional ‘leakage’.

“Unlike other royal couples like Charles and Camilla and William and Kate there is a large height difference between the Queen and her husband, plus a rather traditional style of male-female posing, with Philip always looking as though he’s on the parade ground while the Queen has a rather county lady vibe. 

“Despite these differences though, they are often quite tightly choreographed with some unexpectedly strong mirroring, showing like-mindedness.”

Prince Philip is able to draw the most emotion from his wife then any other royal, when in public together – a sign of their clear bond.

Judi added: “It is also pretty clear that – after 70 years together – Philip can still make his wife laugh on a regular basis. The couple use a lot of direct eye-gazing when they laugh together, with Philip often leaning in and round the Queen to ensure she gets the joke. 

“The Queen’s face really does light up when he does this and it is often at these moments that her very girlish facial expression appears.”

Image one

In the photograph the Prince and the Queen stand side by side at the races, with the Queen in bright lime green. 

Judi said: “The Prince’s signature hand gesture is a clasp behind his back which always seems to be a suggestion that he’s keeping his hands out of trouble. When the Queen is relaxed and smiling she will sometimes mirror this pose in what looks like a subconscious act that will be prompted by high levels of rapport.”

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Even when Prince Philip is very much in the background, it is clear his wife is at the forefront of his mind.

Judi said: “With the Queen often slightly isolated on royal duties Prince Philip tends to look quietly attentive but unobtrusive. 

“He can clearly think several steps ahead as he does here, checking for a pen in his pocket in case she hasn’t been given one to sign with.”

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Judi claims the pair obviously share a similar sense of humour, as is displayed in this image of the couple sat side by side, with a tartan blanket over the Queen’s lap.

She said: “Even though they’re not sitting side by side in a way that gives them access to one another’s facial expression the shared sense of humour is clearly on display in these twinned laughs and their arm positions. 

“This shows they’re not laughing to impress one another or cheer one another up as couples often can do when they’re out together, they’re laughing in sheer delight because they’re both enjoying the same joke.”

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Lastly, an image at the cenotaph this Remembrance Sunday showed how Prince Philip supports his wife emotionally, albeit via almost imperceptible communication, Judi claims.

She said: “The Queen must have been engulfed in a wave of strong emotions as she sadly watched the Remembrance Sunday wreath-laying from the balcony for the first time. 

“She shed a tear as she looked down at the service and her facial expression looked utterly distraught at one point. 

“This moment of direct eye contact, with the Prince turning his head to smile down at her while the Queen beams back up at him shows how little their intrinsic body language displays of affection have changed from the day they were married.”

Prince William has been described by the royals as Queen Elizabeth II’s “rock”. 

However, the pair are said to never kiss in public. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said: “It is very rare for members of the royal family to show affection publicly on official engagements, it doesn’t look appropriate or professional.” 

Mr Fitzwilliams explained a public embrace would mean “royal body language is the story” rather than the event the couple is attending.