Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh ‘taps’ Edward ‘on the knee like a naughty child’ – video

Express.co.uk spoke to body language expert Judi James about the moment, and she reviewed footage and images from the event before giving her expert analysis. 

Speaking about the royal couple in general, Judi said: “Edward and Sophie look like such a good example of a complementary couple, which is when two different personalities combine, with each providing the ideal, complementary behavioural ‘reward’ for the other.

“Edward’s reward from Sophie is a sense of calm support and a hint to not take himself too seriously. But above that, Sophie is also Edward’s audience. 

“Edward was always the thwarted performer in the family, the youngest child who looked set for a career on the stage or in production. It was Edward who organised the ‘Its A Royal Knockout’ and who clearly loved the chance to entertain on camera.

“His career might have fizzled but in Sophie, he has the perfect audience of one. As a couple, they appear playful and very entertained by each other. 

“On royal appearances, they will often be caught chatting face-to-face looking animated and happy in each other’s company and as royals they work well as a team of two.

“The gesture in the carriage, where Edward appears to be waving at nobody just to entertain and where Sophie responds in a complementary way by apparently tapping him on the hand or knee like a naughty child, making him laugh in turn, seems to please them both,” she noted.

“This kind of response also seems to have developed Edward’s sweeter and more down-to-earth side of his personality. Before he met Sophie there were hints that he could be a bit grand and possibly arrogant, especially when he stormed out of the press meeting after the Royal Knockout, but now he appears to be good-natured and rather more modest.” 

Judi took a look at several images throughout the couple’s marriage and discussed “Sophie’s poses” and how they “illustrate” she and Edward are a “comfortable and clearly successful double act”. 

In 2009, the couple walked side by side and held eye contact when arriving for a public engagement, Judi said: “The couple’s regular use of eye contact, even when they are walking side by side, allows what is called non-verbal ‘strokes’, i.e. glances of support, appreciation and affection that will be mutually flattering when they go on royal visits.” 

In 2014, Edward made a speech at a public engagement, and Sophie looked on, beaming with joy. Judi said: “Sophie could hardly look more like her husband’s fan and supporter than she does here. While Edward is clearly show-boating with the mic in one hand, Sophie looks entranced behind him.”

In 2018, Sophie sat between Edward and Princess Anne and Judi commented: “Sophie places her hand over her mouth and giggles like a teenager here as Edward gazes at her face, clearly delighted to have made her laugh helplessly. 

“Responses like this will be the ideal ego boost to flatter Edward, who must have felt rather eclipsed as a child by his three very dominant siblings.” 

A year later at Royal Ascot, the couple were caught on camera engaging in conversation with one another. The expert opined: “Sophie and Edward use such keen conversational poses with one another that they seem to genuinely delight in each other’s company. 

“Edward looks rather boyish here, with his hands clasped behind his back but Sophie’s close attention and approval signals seem to make him both bashful and flattered.”