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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Jennifer Newton & Siobhan Macdonald

Prince William comforts George during 'awkward' moment at memorial

Prince George was comforted by his dad Prince William during the Prince Philip's emotional memorial service, royal expert claims.

George and his sister Princess Charlotte, who were great-grandchildren of the late Duke of Edinburgh, joined their parents William and Kate at the Westminster Abbey memorial service.

As the family arrived, they greeted people and according to body language expert Nick Davies, when William struck up a conversation with a member of the military, his son George, who had been clutching his hand began to "feel awkward".

However, as reported in The Mirror, Nick says the Duke of Cambridge comforted his son with a nice simple gesture to help him regain confidence.

Prince George, Prince William, Princess Charlotte and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)

He told the Daily Star that as George approaches the church, he "appears more confident looking forward, staffing upright".

After going through the door, he noted: "He [George] takes a deep breath quickly, gulps and licks his dry lips which is caused by pre-emptive anxiety, but he maintains good eye contact and once he is spoken to by one of the clergymen he breaks into a broad smile showing his confidence.

“However, once his father talks to the Navy gentlemen with the gold braiding, George's mouth tightens to the left and he rubs the bottom of his jacket with his right fingers, showing he feels awkward and is seeking comfort, William naturally recognises this putting his hand on George's shoulder."

Tuesday's memorial is the most high-profile royal event by far that George and Charlotte have attended as William and Kate keen to give them and younger brother Prince Louis as normal an upbringing as possible.

Many were blown away by the royal children's impeccable behaviour and said they took their cues from their parents.

According to fellow body language expert Judi James, the children’s remarkably composed, mature appearance was in fact the result of rehearsals.

Speaking to OK!, she explained: “William’s hand barely left his son’s shoulder and he used several pat-rituals as a tie-sign to register encouragement and approval.

"You could tell from the way George copied his father totally that there had been some rehearsals and training behind the scenes.”

Judi also noted that William and Kate often appeared as proud parents, helping out their children.

She added: "They were appearing here as proud and loving parents, gently continuing George and Charlotte’s induction into formal royal life."

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