The Princess of Wales shared a ‘warm chat’ with Queen Camilla during today’s Remembrance Sunday service, a body language expert has claimed.
Members of the Royal Family, including King Charles and Prince William, led the nation in a two-minute silence at the Cenotaph in London to commemorate those who died in conflict.
Queen Camilla, 78, and the Princess of Wales, 43, both dressed in black, sang the national anthem as they watched the service from the centre balcony of the Foreign Office above.
Remarking on Camilla and Kate’s heartwarming moment, communication coach Judi James told The Daily Mail how the pair supported one aonther during the solemn event.
‘There was an exchange of what looked like warm chat between the present and future queens here with Camilla’s rather playful smile and side-eye appearing to make Kate beam back down at her,’ she explained.
‘Camilla looked happy to stand back a little, studying her order of service and even mouthing a silent “wow” while Kate stood as the more dominant royal, posing slightly in front and as a much more visibly poised figure, staring straight ahead and standing almost to attention.
‘This was a slightly warmer and more relaxed royal box than usual, with what appeared to be less emphasis on royal protocol and pecking order.’
Elsewhere, King Charles appeared visibly emotional as he laid a wreath at the National Service of Remembrance.
Queen Camilla and Kate, the Princess of Wales shared a ‘warm’ exchange during today’s Remembrance Day service in London, UK body language expert Judi James claimed
The monarch, 76, approached the war memorial just before 11am and saluted. After the Big Ben bells chimed on the hour, a two-minute silence was perfectly observed before a gun was fired and the Last Post was sounded by the Buglers of the Royal Marines to mark the end.
Charles, wearing a field marshal uniform with a ceremonial frock coat, then stepped forward and laid a wreath at the Cenotaph before saluting again.
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, appeared teary-eyed as she watched the service from the left balcony alongside the Duke of Kent, 90, who gave a firm salute as the service began. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester watched on from the right balcony.
Prime Ministers past and present, including David Cameron, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, also paid their respects as they lined up together in front of the Cenotaph. Party leaders Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch stood in front of them holding wreaths.
Senior politicians and members of the Royal Family departed after laying wreaths so the thousands of veterans could start their march-past.
Some 10,000 armed forces veterans are taking part in the Royal British Legion’s march-past through Whitehall, alongside about 20 Second World War veterans.
Services are also taking place across the country to honour the fallen, with this year’s Armistice Day marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
Ahead of the two-minute silence at 11am, military bands had performed songs including Rule Britannia as crowds watched on along Whitehall.
At one point, Camilla shared a ‘rather playful smile’ with the mother-of-three, the body language expert added
Last night, Charles appeared visibly moved by a heartfelt rendition of God Save the King at the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance.
The monarch, who was announced as a patron of the Royal British Legion last year, was then treated to three cheers from the Armed Forces at the Royal Albert Hall.
It was also a memorable night for Prince George who made his debut at the Festival of Remembrance alongside his mother, the Princess of Wales. George was effectively standing in for his father, Prince William, who was travelling back from his Earthshot Prize Awards and the COP30 summit in Brazil.
Sir Rod Stewart, Sam Ryder and Keala Settle also attended last night’s event, where there were performances by the Central Band of the RAF, the RAF Squadronaires and the Band of HM Royal Marines.
Ahead of today’s commemorations, the Prime Minister said: ‘This Remembrance Sunday, we pause as a nation to honour all those who have served our country.
‘We reflect on the extraordinary courage of our armed forces in the world wars and subsequent conflicts, whose service secured the freedoms we cherish today.
‘Eighty years since the end of the Second World War, we remember a generation who stood against tyranny and shaped our future. Their legacy is peace and our duty is to protect it.
‘Such sacrifice deserves more than silence, which is why this Government remains committed to supporting veterans, their families and those who serve.
‘Today, we remember, and we renew our promise to uphold the values they fought for.’
Among those on the march was 101-year-old Donald Poole, a Royal Army Ordnance Corps technician who handled defective explosives or enemy ammunition.
Originally from Bromley, Kent, he was serving in India in 1945 when Japan’s surrender was announced, sparking an impromptu celebration.
He said: ‘It is a great honour to be able to pay tribute to the poor souls who have died in all conflicts and I know how lucky I am to still be here thanks to all those who have fought and served, past and present.
‘I also want to pay tribute to the civilian services who suffered during the Second World War, particularly the fire service, who saved so many lives during the Blitz – many of whom lost their own.’
Sid Machin, another of the six 101-year-olds registered to march, was one of the last surviving ‘Chindit’ soldiers from the Second World War’s Burma campaign.
As a young man of about 19, Mr Machin landed behind enemy lines in a glider at night in the jungle, as part of a special forces unit in Burma (now Myanmar), which wreaked havoc on Japanese supply lines and infrastructure.
Mr Machin, from Dorset, said: ‘I am proud to be marching at the Cenotaph today with the Chindit Society to mark the end of an emotional year remembering my own and my comrades service in the Far East.
‘It was tough but we just had to get on with it and watch out for each other. I will be thinking of everyone I served with and especially those that didn’t make it home.’