King Charles is 'missing his rock, his support' as he attends Remembrance event without Camilla
With Queen Camilla unable to attend Remembrance events in London this weekend owing to a chest infection, King Charles joined the rest of the Royal Family - including the Prince and Princess of Wales - at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening to attend the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance.
The King looked thrilled to be at the event - which takes place the day before he leads tributes at the Cenotaph in Whitehall - and had his close family there to support him. On how the monarch was feeling after such a busy few weeks which have included his tour of Australia and Samoa, a leading expert says the King's body language was telling.
Speaking exclusively to OK! on behalf of Spin Genie, Darren Stanton shares: "Charles looks like a lost sheep without Camilla, he’s always looking around for her, she is his rock, his support.
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"He looks genuinely happy to be at the Royal Albert Hall, but his body language would suggest that he feels like a fish out of water, with Camilla not there he feels as if half of him is missing.
"He is leaning in towards himself and lacks typical signs of confidence, like a strong posture or his shoulders back. Instead he locks his hands in front of him, a sign of self-reassurance that signifies the slight unease he feels internally when solo."
As for who was stepping in to fill the Queen's shoes, Darren goes on to say: “Princess Anne is there to support Charles and her presence helps ease this discomfort he feels without Camilla. So much so, that to an extent, he still appears his usual jovial self, cracking jokes while engaging with other guests.
"He still shows a willingness to take part and be present, but he clearly feels a little out of sorts without Camilla. He’s smiling here but there’s a notable hint of sadness that Camilla isn’t able to join him.”
Announcing the news that the Queen would not be able to attend either Remembrance service, Buckingham Palace released a statement which read: "Following doctors’ guidance to ensure a full recovery from a seasonal chest infection, and to protect others from any potential risk, Her Majesty will not attend this weekend’s Remembrance events. While this is a source of great disappointment to The Queen, she will mark the occasion privately at home and hopes to return to public duties early next week."
Given her background and deep personal connection to the Armed Forces, it will have been a particularly difficult decision for the Queen to not attend the Remembrance events in London this weekend.
Queen Camilla's father, Major Bruce Shand, had an interesting time during his wartime service. He served with the 12th Lancers during the Second World War, earning the Military Cross twice once in 1940 during the retreat to Dunkirk, and again in 1942 for his North Africa campaign. Despite being wounded and captured in the same region, he survived the ordeal, passing away at the age of 89 in June 2006.
This year's Remembrance Sunday service comes five months after The King and Queen joined global leaders on Normandy's beaches to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Second World War D-Day landings. To mark the anniversary, Queen Camilla released a video in which she recalled the "incredible bravery" of the forces that freed Europe from Hitler's rule.
Camilla's heartfelt message also highlighted her personal connection with the Armed Forces, referring to herself as the "proud daughter of an Army officer". She wore her Royal Lancers brooch a nod to her late father's regiment and the military unit she serves as Colonel in Chief.
In her video, Camilla expressed gratitude to the men and women of the Armed Forces for "everything you do to protect this country of ours". She also paid tribute to those who made the "ultimate sacrifice" in the quest for global peace.
The Queen conveyed heartfelt appreciation, saying: "Eight decades later, I know that same spirit and those same qualities remain much in evidence throughout our Armed Forces, as you undertake your duties in the face of a multitude of challenges and dangers.
"In so doing, you not only protect these Isles, but also defend liberties way beyond these shores. Your determination, unrelenting efforts and selfless loyalty to each other and to the United Kingdom are as enduring as our gratitude."
