King Charles and Queen Camilla were undoubtedly the center of attention at this year’s Trooping the Colour. The event, which holds annually to mark the reigning monarch’s official birthday saw the senior royals stun in their eccentric attires, surrounded by other family members, top officials and excited citizens. For this years’ event, the British monarch rode on a carriage alongside his wife, managing to maintain his charisma and positive spirit despite his ailing health.
Yet, his composure seemed to betray him at some point during the official parade. Body language experts have weighed in on King Charles’ demeanor at the Trooping the Colour, comparing it to the graceful composure of his wife Queen Camilla. Speaking to a news outlet, body language expert Darren Stanton explained that the monarch displayed a mix of joy, and something more somber, divulging,
“Charles has displayed examples of feeling joy, again with genuine smiles and instances of laughter when he could relax a bit more — no doubt pleased to be reunited with and supported by his family — but we also sense some somber signs from him.”
Darren attributed the king’s somber mood and “distracted” countenance to having thoughts of his late mom, Queen Elizabeth II, who enjoyed the parade as one of her favorite events. Since her passing in 2022, this year marks the second time King Charles would celebrate Trooping the color without the late queen.
Queen Camilla Held the Forte at the Trooping the Colour
A tell-tale moment during the Trooping the Colour parade saw King Charles clutch his sword, seemingly struggling to grasp on to reality. Darren believed the gesture was the King’s way of reassuring himself, and having “something to focus on with everything going on around him.” Thankfully, where the monarch gave in to his vulnerability, Queen Camila stood by him, a stoic pillar of support, and an epitome of grace and dominance. The expert explained,
“There were signs of Camilla holding a lot of dominance, particularly by holding herself upright with her arms by her side and standing tall. She didn’t appear distracted like Charles — she looked comfortable standing still and was in control of her movements. She always remains composed and is a reassuring figure for Charles.”
Also attending Trooping the Colour, Kate Middleton made her first official public appearance this year, amid her cancer treatment. The future queen announced her intention to grace the event in a lengthy social media post on June 14. Sadly, the Princess of Wales also revealed in the statement that her treatment was far from over as she would spend a few more months healing and recovering. Despite the health woes plaguing the royal family, forging a united front helped them hold the forte this year at the Trooping the Colour.
