The sweet moment Prince William comforted his eldest son during an “awkward moment” at a memorial for the Duke of Edinburgh with a simple pat on his shoulder has re-emerged.
George and his sister Princess Charlotte , the late Duke’s great-grandchildren, had accompanied their parents to the memorial service at Westminster Abbey last year.
After the event, the children and their parents made their way down a line-up of people , who they greeted and shook hands with.
Body language expert Nick Davies said when William struck up a conversation with a member of the military George, who had been clutching his hand, began to "feel awkward".
To remedy this William performed a simple gesture to comfort his son, who had previously entered the Abbey looking confident.
He told the Daily Star 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.
“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."
It comes ahead of Prince George taking a central role in the King’s Coronation as a Page of Honour.
The nine-year-old future king will walk behind his grandad, helping to carry his robes as he enters and leaves Westminster Abbey.
The King and George’s father, Prince William, were keen for the young prince to have an important role on May 6 and decided he will be front and centre.
George and seven other boys named Pages of Honour will “attend their majesties”, the King and Queen, during the service.
They are primarily responsible for carrying their long, heavy robes. The honour is usually granted to teenage sons of members of the nobility and gentry, and especially of senior Royal Household members.
The boys are either family friends or relatives of Charles and Camilla.
Despite the role traditionally going to boys aged 12 to 15, young George was given the task after showing a “deep interest” in the ceremony.
A well-placed insider added: “The King is very keen to show those in the line of succession, his natural heirs, at the centre of his Coronation.
“Even though he is only nine, George is very mature and already has a deep understanding of the roles of his grandfather and father, as well as his future role.
“This task is a wonderful sign of the future being laid out by the King.”
