Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie’s ‘true feelings’ during royals’ pre-Christmas lunch
The sisters celebrated at Buckingham Palace yesterdayYesterday (December 16), Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie attended the royal family’s traditional pre-Christmas lunch.
They joined King Charles, the Waleses and other members of the royal family at Buckingham Palace.
The Christmas lunch is a long-standing tradition hosted by the monarch. It gives senior and extended members of the royal family a chance to come together before Christmas Day.
It marks Beatrice and Eugenie’s first public appearance with the wider royal family since missing the Princess of Wales’ carol service earlier this month.
After an incredibly difficult year, it may have come as a surprise to many when the sisters were photographed with big smiles ahead of the event.
A body language expert has weighed in on the matter, unpacking how they might truly have been feeling.
Beatrice and Eugenie attend pre-Christmas lunch
Speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino, body language expert Darren Stanton analysed the candid snaps of the pair driving to Buckingham Palace. He shared the telling non-verbal cues that hint to their real emotions.
He said: “These shots of them in the car are particularly strong, and for me the key theme that comes through is authenticity, that sense of genuine emotion rather than something being performed for the cameras. What we’re seeing is real happiness and genuine excitement about heading to the King’s pre-Christmas lunch.”
He added that this is particularly the case with Beatrice.
“Her face is visibly lit up – there’s an openness there. She’s maintaining her composure extremely well, and she does genuinely look happy. It doesn’t feel forced or staged in any way.”
The York sisters reunite with Kate
Princess Kate was likewise spotted heading to the festivities with her husband Prince William. The couple’s three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, also went along.
According to Darren, the Princess of Wales appeared similarly cheerful.
“There are no signs from Kate, Beatrice or Eugenie of what we’d call a masking smile – no tightness around the mouth, no disconnect between the upper and lower face, and no sense of a smile being ‘switched on’ just for the cameras,” he said. “Instead, the expressions are consistent and relaxed.”
“The whole face is engaged with all of them. Their eyes are involved, and we can see the crow’s feet or laugh lines at the outer corners, which is a strong indicator of authenticity,” the expert then explained. “When people are genuinely happy, the muscles around the eyes activate naturally – and that’s exactly what we’re seeing here.”
He concluded: “Taken together, it all points to real, unforced emotion and a genuine happiness about being there, rather than any kind of obligation or performance.”
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