King Charles and the rest of the Royal Family marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a spectacular flypast – and one expert believes it sent a subtle message to Prince Harry
King Charles and the rest of the Royal Family send a message to Prince Harry during their major balcony appearance at VE Day commemorations, according to an expert. Senior royals waved to thousands of people from the Buckingham Palace balcony as a Red Arrows flypast continued the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
The King and Queen, joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, watched on with tilted heads as the VE Day flypast soared over. The commemorations come just days after Harry told the BBC his father will not speak to him and he does not know how much longer the King has left.
The Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as part of VE Day commeorations (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
However the King and Queen were said to be “looking forward” to the week’s events, and it is understood that, out of respect for the surviving veterans, Buckingham Palace hopes “nothing will detract or distract from celebrating with full cheer and proud hearts that precious victory and those brave souls, on this most special and poignant of anniversaries”.
And according to body language expert Judi James, the balcony appearance symbolised the royals’ resilience. She told the Mirror: “Royal balcony moments always show the Firm at their highest status best, standing in a position of ultimate power as a strong family unit while looking down on the massed crowds of their subjects, all cheering wildly to show their support.
So, the symbolism of this appearance could hardly have been more timely given the latest verbal pelting to have come from Montecito. This confident, stoic appearance suggested high levels of the kind of resilience that the Royal Family are always known for.”
Meanwhile, Judi also noted several subtle gestures that behind the scenes, the Firm is looking out for each other, especially when it comes to siblings. She noted: “During one moment on the balcony Princess Anne, who had been chatting to her brother in a strong display of unity during the fly-past, seemed to notice that Charles was waving to go indoors before the anthem had been played.
“Placing a hand out to pat him affectionately on the back, she seemed to warn him so he could turn and get into position. It was a gesture that suggested Anne is quietly keeping an eye on her brother.
“Another sibling who was surprisingly keep an eye on their brother at the other end of the balcony was, surprisingly, Louis. When the anthem was played, he stood to attention like his sister, but he suddenly turned to check out his older brother George behind him.
Prince Harry in an explosive interview last week (Image: BBC)
“George was caught with his hands still clasped in front of his body and, in a complete turn-around, it was the normally playful Louis who seemed to quickly correct him before turning back. George, 11, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, seven, were last seen together in public at the Christmas Day church service on the Sandringham Estate.
Louis, who during past public appearances has stolen the show, did not disappoint royal fans and was seen at one moment sticking out his tongue – a trademark gesture for the young royal. He also held William’s gold aiguillettes, the braided loops hanging from the shoulder of his RAF uniform, and appeared to touch his father’s shoulder again, and also held out his hands palms up as if he was testing for rain, which later fell.
