Body Language Expert Analyzes Queen Elizabeth's Relationship with Children

By now, we've heard our fair share about the original Royal Fab Four: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward (OK, he's still a mystery). We know and love them as public figures, but behind closed doors, well, they are still a mystery.

And their relationship with their parents (opens in new tab). That's another story. Queen Elizabeth (opens in new tab) is well groomed and posture trained, but you can still see how much she loves her children," says human behavior expert and author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Reading Body Language (opens in a new tab)," Susan Constantine, human behavior expert and author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Reading Body Language, told GoodHousekeeping.com. The love is a two-way street, but the queen has a unique relationship with each of her four children.

For starters, the Queen (opens in new tab) has been seen with her eldest son, Prince Charles, much more than her other children. Perhaps because he is next in line to the throne (opens in new tab). It's interesting that their relationship is so fun and playful," Constantine says. 'When they are together, they fully embrace the moment. Literally, when they are together, it's like there is no one else in the room.

Clearly, their public relationship is more prim and proper than most mothers and children. Constantine explains, "Even when they are kissing (a common greeting in the royal family), Prince Charles looks directly at his mother and smells her, indicating that he is using this moment to touch her." This hand-holding is ritualistic, but at the same time it expresses intimacy and emotion.

But this is where their relationship really shines. 'In this picture, you can literally see the story unfolding,' Constantin says. 'She is completely connected to him. The slightest touch of the arms. A genuine laugh. The way Charles looks at his mother. That's love

Princess Anne, the queen's only daughter, has had it harder than the boys, at least according to Constantine." If I didn't know they were mother and daughter (open in new tab), I wouldn't think they were related."

"The distance and formality between them is obvious, but one might say it is simply due to protocol.

"In this particular example, we see two women interacting in a seemingly affectionate way," says Patti Wood, body language expert and author of "SNAP: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language, and Charisma" (opens in new tab) and body language expert, tells GoodHousekeeping.com. 'Even when they are holding hands or kissing, their bodies remain apart. Basically, they are close, but not that close.

Sure, they're laughing here, but what about Princess Anne's posture?""They're obviously enjoying each other's company, but Anne's away from the queen," Wood explains. And the queen's face. Constantine explains, "Her voice waves, her eyebrows lift, even a forced smile." But there may be more to it than we know (we speculate).

The admiration Prince Andrew (open in new tab) has for his mother is unparalleled. 'You can see it in his eyes,' Constantine says. 'His eyes always look toward the queen, and that is a sign of his respect and admiration for her.'

A deeper look at the pictures, however, reveals that the prince, and even the queen, are nervous. Wood explains, "They tuck, tug, and adjust their clothes because they're cute." Despite their suspected anxiety and stress, "the two are in sync with each other, mirroring each other's stride.

The formality of their relationship can be difficult for both parties.

"At this moment, it is clear that Prince Andrew wants to be near his mother. "His hands are clenched into fists, holding back more intimacy." Unable to lend a hand, Prince Andreou turns his body toward his mother, showing his concern for her.

At first glance, it is obvious that Prince Edward is the Queen's cherished son. When she is near the prince, she stretches her head toward him, tilts her shoulders, and smiles sincerely. Her body language screams, "That's my boy," Constantine says.

Given the opportunity, the queen devotes equal time to her two youngest sons (Prince Andrew on the left and Prince Edward on the right). 'It's a good sign that there is equal distance between them,' Constantin explains. Edward is reserved, like his mother, while Andrew is intense and powerful."

The relationship between the queen and her children is fundamentally different from any other family on earth. 'There is an immediate barrier between them,' Wood explains. . because the children have to know that their mother loves them without ever being subjected to physical contact."

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