It’s likely we’ll never know exactly what King Charles and Keir Starmer talked about during their Buckingham Palace meeting today, with protocol meaning the details are meant to be kept secret by both parties.
However we do know that during the historic meeting the Monarch asked the Labour leader to officially become Prime Minister and to form a government.
A series of official photographs were released to mark the visit, taken before the doors were closed and the two men sat down to talk privately.
But according to body language expert Judi James, some of their gestures in the snaps hint at what they might have been saying during the photocol.
She tells The Mirror: “The initial pose of the new PM’s meeting with the King shows Starmer lowering his head and upper torso slightly in an act of respect as he steps forward to greet him
although the handshake between the two men already looks firm and friendly.
“The poses from that point though show an unusual proximity between them as they continue to clasp hands and chat, almost like established friends.
At one point Charles even performs the lowered point, using his index finger in a signature gesture to suggest he is sharing a moment of humour.
”When the two men sit side by side it’s now Starmer performing the non-verbal signals of power and status via the politician’s trick of being the one using the emphatic hand gesticulation as they talk. A submissive approach would be to face-watch the King to listen and react but Starmer’s hand gesture suggests it’s him making the big point here while Charles sit listening comfortably.”
Starmer is the King’s third Prime Minister in just three years. The late Queen had just 15 in her 70 year reign. His first was Liz Truss, who was in power when he took the throne in September 2022. However she didn’t stay for they long, and was replaced by Rishi Sunak just a few weeks later.
He then gave his first official speech outside Number 10. He said: “Our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal and a return of politics to public service.
“When the gap between the sacrifices made by people and the service they receive from politicians grows this big it leads to a weariness in the heart of a nation, a draining away of the hope, the spirit, the belief in a better future, that we need to move forward together. Now, this wound, this lack of trust, can only be healed by actions, not words. I know that.
Body language plays a significant role in communication, often revealing more than words alone. During the meeting between King Charles and Keir Starmer, body language expert Judi James provides fascinating insights into their interactions.
According to James, the initial pose of the meeting showed Starmer demonstrating respect by lowering his head slightly as he greeted the King. Despite this gesture, the handshake between the two leaders appeared firm and friendly, indicating mutual respect.
As they continued to converse, James noted the unusual proximity between King Charles and Starmer, suggesting a level of comfort and familiarity typically seen among friends. The King even engaged in a light-hearted moment, using a signature gesture to convey humor.
When seated side by side, Starmer assumed a position of power through assertive hand gestures, highlighting his role as the one making key points during the discussion. This display contrasts with a submissive approach, where one might focus primarily on the monarch’s reactions.
Starmer’s appointment as Prime Minister marks a significant moment, as he becomes King Charles’ third Prime Minister in just three years. This frequent turnover contrasts with the late Queen’s reign, where she worked with just 15 Prime Ministers over 70 years.
In his inaugural speech outside Number 10, Starmer emphasized the need for national renewal and a return to public service in politics. His words reflect a desire to bridge the gap between public expectations and political actions, aiming to rebuild trust and hope in a better future through tangible measures.
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Source: USA Today
