King Charles and Queen Camilla Show Their Relationship’s Changed With Parliament Opening Body Language

King Charles III and Queen Camilla ’s relationship has changed, and their body language at the State Opening of Parliament said it all. According to a body language expert, the two did something of a role reversal at the July 17, 2024, event in London, England.

Queen Camilla didn’t take a ‘backseat’ at the State Opening of Parliament

According to body language expert Judi James, King Charles and Queen Camilla, decked out in royal finery, hinted their relationship had changed at the opening of Parliament.

“The body language between Charles and Camilla has evolved and changed a little since his illness and that change was reflected here today,” she told Mirror .

Buckingham Palace revealed King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer in a Feb. 5, 2024, announcement, a month before Kate Middleton shared her own diagnosis. The king’s treatment, as well as the Princess of Wales’s, is ongoing.

Usually, James explained, Queen Camilla, whose birthday fell on the same day as the ceremony (she turned 77), stays in the background. However, at the opening of Parliament, that wasn’t the case.

“Camilla used to tend to take a backseat role on formal occasions, often looking riddled with signals of inner anxiety and taking her cues from her husband’s behaviour [sic] and movements,” James said.

“Now, though, she seems to have grown in terms of an air of confidence, authority, and an ability to take a lead at times. She appeared here to be quite happy to greet the crowds with her own royal waves rather than waiting for Charles to wave first, then mirroring him.”

She looked ‘calm’ next to an anxious King Charles

“It was Charles showing some micro signals of inner anxiety today, sucking his lips in after his first announcement and fiddling with his robes after he sat down,” James continued.

“Camilla, by contrast, was able to sit very still, looking quite calm beside him,” she continued, noting how she didn’t fidget, leaving her hands in the same position, and “projecting a calm solidity.”

Queen Camilla’s occasional glances at King Charles throughout the ceremony suggested “concern for him rather than announcing her own inner anxiety.” Furthermore, she appeared “quietly determined to ensure he doesn’t overdo things .”

The king was still in charge at the Parliament opening

Expert Predicts Kate Middleton Won’t Make Another Public Appearance for ‘Some Time Now’ After Wimbledon

While Queen Camilla might’ve checked in on her husband after he delivered his speech with a “caring, nurturing glance of concern” as he prepared to stand, but, James said, King Charles was still the one in charge.

“It was clearly still Charles in command when it came to the ceremonial choreography,” she said, noting he even signaled to the queen to move ahead of him.

“His right hand flapped a little to show Camilla she should walk down the steps first,” she added. “And as he passed her on the way out, he fondly touched her hip with one hand to remind her he was going round past her to take the lead.”

Showbiz Cheat Sheet acknowledges conditions and cultures can impact body language and is sensitive to all backgrounds.