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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Rosaleen Fenton

King Charles' telling 'anxious fiddling gesture' as he's spotted ahead of Coronation

A brief glimpse of Camilla and Charles in the car on the way into Buckingham Palace gave a clue of the pre-ceremony tension in their body language.

The couple were spotted being driven into Buckingham Palace this morning ahead of the Coronation ceremony, which will take place later today.

Body language expert Judi James exclusively told the Mirror how the pair were clearly nervous as they drove past thousands of royal fans gathered to spot them.

Judi told the Mirror: "With the window partly down Charles waved to the crowds but in between waves his hands clasped together with what looked like an anxious fiddling gesture.

King Charles III arrives at Buckingham Palace ahead of the Coronation (Getty Images)

"Both he and Camilla showed another sign of building tension in their hunched shoulders as they chatted together.Earlier, the royal couple left Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach after spending the night at Clarence House and headed along the procession route to the Abbey to be crowned."

Meanwhile, well-wishers continue to flock to the Mall as umbrellas pop up as the rain picks up.

One umbrella features the poppy emblem of the Royal British Legion while several others are sporting Union flag patterns. One prepared royal watcher has a rounded, transparent umbrella for an unimpaired view of the procession route.

However, even as waterproofs are unpacked from bags, spirits remain high in the crowd.

Well-wishers on The Mall wearing Union Jack ponchos (Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

A crowd seated in a grandstand in front of Buckingham Palace cheered as an announcer wished them a “very good morning”.

The announcement over loud speakers continued: “Today really is history in the making and you all have some of the best seats not only in the house but in the world.”

Different sections of the crowd applauded and waved Union flags as groups of guests were announced.

Loud cheers erupted when NHS workers were welcomed.

Those seated also included representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Royal British Legion and members of the royal household staff.

People donned plastic ponchos as rain fell and a small group near the bottom of the grandstand started singing Wonderwall by Oasis.

Some 4,000 sailors, soldiers, aviators and other military personnel from across the UK and the Commonwealth will accompany Charles and Camilla on their return procession. There will be more than 1,000 route liners from the Army, RAF and Royal Navy.

Charles and Camilla are expected to enter Buckingham Palace through the centre arch at 1.33pm.

They will receive a salute from the military in the palace gardens at 1.45pm, and then at about 2.15pm they will be joined by members of the royal family on the palace balcony to watch the flypast.

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