Real reason Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie rarely 'show affection' in public amid 'royal protocol'
The couple have been happily married for over two decadesPrince Edward and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, have a “very strong relationship” after being married for almost 27 years, according to an expert.
But the couple very rarely show affection in public and one body language expert believes this is because they are “more in line with the traditional royal standards”.
Traditionally, royal couples would refrain from PDA. However, in recent years, we’ve seen the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, show more affection in public.
‘Why’ Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie rarely show affection much in public
Now, body language expert Darren Stanton has analysed the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s relationship ahead of Sophie’s 61st birthday on January 20.
Speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino, Darren explained: “Their attitude to their relationship is much more in line with the traditional royal standards.
“They clearly love each other dearly but we would never see the same levels of public illustrators of this as we do with the likes of Mike and Zara Tindall and other royals of their generation.”
He added: “We tend to forget, because he is younger than Charles, that he grew up in that same environment and would have been subject to that same strict education on royal protocol. We rarely see Edward and Sophie holding hands, or giving each other a kiss, and when they do their postures and gestures are always incredibly formal. It’s all about royal traditions for them.”
‘Signs’ Edward and Sophie have ‘very strong relationship’
Edward and Sophie tied the knot back in June 1999. They have two children, Lady Louise Windsor, 22, and James, Earl of Wessex, 18.
Over the years, Sophie and Edward have become valued members of the monarchy. They now take on a more prominent role in the royal family to support King Charles.
Their attitude to their relationship is much more in line with the traditional royal standards.
Darren analysed the couple further, claiming he doesn’t think Prince Edward is the “most openly confident man”.
He explained: “Key signs which support this include him often putting his hands in his pockets or playing with his cufflinks when he is in the public eye. This is usually a sign of some sort of self-soothing. Of the three brothers, he is certainly the most introverted, and you can see that with how reserved he is about his relationship in the public eye.
“Despite this, you can see from his and Sophie’s body language that they have a very strong relationship.”
Sophie’s ‘strength and support’ explained
Darren also believes that Edward and Sophie have become much more “adept at doing royal engagements since stepping up to senior roles”.
He said: “Partly due to practice, but also due to the ability they have to lean on each other for support. As time goes on you see Edward exhibit far less of the self soothing gestures, like the fiddling with his cufflinks, due to Sophie’s strength and support.”
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