King Charles performed a series of subtle gestures that show he’s very much still in charge of the Firm despite scaling back public duties amid cancer treatment, according to an expert.

Today, the King led members of the Royal Family at their annual Easter Sunday church service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle – and afterwards even did a short walkabout greeting members of the public with Queen Camilla. It has been the King’s most significant public appearance since his cancer diagnosis and as he shook hands with wellwishers, one told him: “Keep going strong, keep going strong, never give in.”

Since the news of his cancer was revealed, the monarch has stepped back from public-facing duties while he undergoes treatment.

King Charles shakes hands with wellwishers after the Easter service ( 
Image:
PA)
But despite being missing from public life recently, body language expert Judi James said it’s clear to see he’s very much still in charge when it comes to his family. She told the Mirror: “With the rest of his family arriving wearing rather choreographed-looking smiles of resilience and an almost carefree air, Charles appeared with his own body language suggesting he is still very much head of the Firm and head of his family.

“The royals tend to offer continuity and a reassuring lack of change to the nation and this was still the message from the King’s body language today. Charles’s shoulders might have looked a little more hunched than usual and his face is slimmer but his body language signals were all about upbeat good humour and even enthusiasm and energy.

“He was moving to exit his car even before the door had been opened and his mouth was already open in a good-humoured smile as he spotted his hosts. His sense of humour and even fun was fully on display as he pointed and chatted at the crowds, perhaps even sharing some banter, and his four waves before stepping into the service hinted at a reluctance to step out of the royal spotlight again.

The King was at the service alongside Queen Camilla ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)

The King appeared animated as he arrived for the service ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
“Camilla stood back a little to allow her husband to joke playfully and instead of moving closer in what might have suggested a need to protect and support, she created enough space between them to imply he was getting back to full health. Her smile added to the feeling of reassurance as though she might have been sharing her relief with the waiting crowds.”

Meanwhile, Judi noted that the King’s body language hinted at the effort he had to put in while meeting wellwishers, but explained that he also looked like he wanted “no fuss”.

She added: “Coming out of the chapel, Charles rubbed his hands together in a gesture of anticipation although he also rubbed his signet ring in what looked more like a self-motivating self-comfort ritual. He placed one hand in his pocket but the way he pointed to steer Camilla to take the flowers from waiting children showed he is still very much in charge as King.

“There was a lower jaw jut micro-gesture as he waited, which would hint at the effort he was putting in at this stage of his ‘gentle’ re-appearance but his enthusiasm to meet and greet with the crowd seemed to stoke up his energy levels.

“Charles approached them with a series of self-effacing gestures to suggest he wanted ‘no fuss’. His eyes wrinkled in an authentic smile of delight as he engaged at length with the fans, using eye contact and engaging verbally as he offered what looked like a series of firm handshakes.”