Prince George was comforted with a simple gesture by his dad Prince William during an "awkward" moment at Prince Philip's memorial service, an expert has claimed.
George and his sister Princess Charlotte, who were great-grandchildren of the late Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied their parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the memorial service at Westminster Abbey earlier this week.
After arriving at the event, the children and their parents made their way down a line-up of people, who they greeted and shook hands with.
And according to body language expert Nick Davies, as 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, the remedy this, Nick says William performed a simple gesture to comfort his son, who had previously entered the Abbey looking confident.
He told the Daily Star that as George approaches the church, he "appears more confident looking forward, staffing upright".
However, 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.
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“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 s aid they took their cues from their parents.
And 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."
