Prince William felt confident performing his speech at the Coronation Concert and expressed over 20 precision gestures that showed his determination, a body language expert has said.
Last night, the Prince of Wales took to the stage at the musical extravaganza in the grounds of Windsor Castle to praise his father, the newly-crowned King.
He delivered a heartfelt speech dedicated to Charles and the key workers of Britain, and also made reference to his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
William included a well-timed dad joke about Lionel Richie, which made his wife Kate as she watched him, with their two children Charlotte and George, proudly on stage.
Body language expert Judi James told the Mirror that William predicted his carefully thought-out speech would deliver some laughs and tug on heartstrings.
She said the Prince's body language indicated he felt composed and eager to get his important points across to the nation - like his father's passion for nature.
Charles was deeply touched by his eldest son's words and struggled to keep his emotions in as he clasped his hands and closed his eyes.
Ms James said: "William's puckered, slightly naughty and knowing smile as he stepped to the front of the stage suggested his speech was going to make a few well-timed points.
"His body language was more dramatic, confident and emphatic than usual and his use of over twenty precision gestures as he spoke showed how determined he was to make his points land."
She continued: "With Kate beaming proudly from the royal box and even seeming to call out to him, regardless of the fact that he was a very long distance away, William started with a clunky joke that nevertheless made his father crack up, before ending with a line that made Charles crack up again, only with threatening tears rather than laughter."
Towards the end of his speech, William said directly to Charles: "Pa, we're all so proud of you" - which Ms James believes "had extra meaning after some of Harry's criticisms".
She added: "Charles tried to keep his composure by holding his hands in a finger steeple that signals control and status but he clasped them instead and his eyes closed as though holding in the tears."
Royal insiders were surprised William did not mention his step-mother Camilla, the new Queen, but sources said the heir was committed to "paying tribute to his father's life of service" on his Coronation weekend.
Following the star-studded evening, William and Kate shared behind-the-scenes footage of the gig with a slick video, as it emerged they also hosted a secret after-party.
