As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle viewed the tributes for the Queen at Windsor Castle, the Duchess was under close analysis.
And one body language expert has offered an incisive view.
Read on for the full story.
In recent years, people have been, understandably, more concerned for the Queen.
Losing a partner of more than seventy years must have been horrific. And right after that, she was struck with another painful blow just a few months later.
At the time, according to friends, the Queen was using her dogs to help cope with the grief of losing Philip…
The Queen was known for being a true animal lover, with one animal, in particular, that’s always been associated with HRH.
The Queen was given her first corgi, Susan, on her eighteenth birthday in 1944.
It has been estimated that the Queen owned more than thirty dogs during her reign, all of which were from the same family.
Her most famous dog was Monty, who appeared with her in a sketch for the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics…
The Queen had planned not to get any more dogs after Vulcan, her dorgi – a dachshund-corgi cross – passed away. She was left with just 1 corgi called Candy.
She acquired 2 new four-legged friends when Philip was hospitalized…
And their names had truly special meanings…
Fergus was named after her uncle Fergus Bowes-Lyon, who was killed in action during the First World War.
The second dog, Muick, pronounced Mick, is a pure-bred corgi and named after Loch Muick, a favorite spot for the Royals during their summer holiday.
When the news of the new dogs came out, Royal biographer Penny Junor said: “Her corgis are hugely important to her.”
“They have over the years been closer to her than any human being. The corgis are intensely loyal and loving and they have never let her down.”
But sadly, just a month after Philip died…
Her 5-month-old puppy Fergus passed away.
Fergus had been purchased by Prince Andrew to help his mother cope with the grieving process.
But sources confirmed Fergus passed away in May, just a month after she lost her husband.
A source told The Sun: “The Queen is absolutely devastated.
“The puppies were brought in to cheer her up during a very difficult period.”
“Everyone concerned is upset as this comes so soon after she lost her husband.”
It seemed that as she tried to handle all her grief, Queen Elizabeth appeared to be struggling physically as well as emotionally…
She was snapped at Westminster Abbey with her daughter for the Thanksgiving service…
To celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the British Royal Legion.
But as soon as she stepped out of her car, people noticed something concerning…
She was using a walking stick to support herself, something she hadn’t been seen with for seventeen years.
The only other time the Queen was been pictured with a stick was after her knee operation back in 2003…
But she quickly recovered and stopped using it the following year, in 2004.
The pictures left a lot of people worried about her physical health…
However, although it might have been a little alarming, the Queen still looked to be her usual upbeat self.
But royal doctors were then reported to have given her a stern health warning.
And people were left worried all over again…
Queen Elizabeth was reportedly told to stop drinking by royal doctors.
As per Vanity Fair, 2 sources claimed that doctors advised the queen to cut out alcohol except for special occasions.
“The Queen has been told to give up her evening drink which is usually a martini,” the source said.
“It’s not really a big deal for her, she is not a big drinker but it seems a trifle unfair that at this stage in her life she’s having to give up one of very few pleasures.”
Doctors were said to have given her the warning about alcohol to ensure she is was healthy as possible for her full schedule.
It also came ahead of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.
However, things went from bad to worse as the queen suffered a sprained back, resulting in her absence from the Remembrance service in London.
The service would have been her first appearance since being admitted to hospital, after which she was advised by her doctors to rest for 2 weeks and only undertake “desk-based duties,” as per Buckingham Palace.
The palace released a statement ahead of the Remembrance event…
“The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend today’s Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph.”
“Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service,” it continued.
“As in previous years, a wreath will be laid on Her Majesty’s behalf by the Prince of Wales.
“His Royal Highness, along with the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra will be present at the Cenotaph today as planned.”
The Queen had only ever missed 6 cenotaph ceremonies in her sixty-nine-year reign…
But that wasn’t the only commitment that had to be canceled as the Queen’s in-person appearance at the General Synod was also canceled with the Earl of Wessex attending instead.
While attending the Synod, the Earl read a speech to bishops and clergy at the Westminster headquarters of the Church of England on behalf of the queen, The Sun reported.
But what the Queen had to say in her speech broke hearts…
In her speech, the queen praised the Church of England for offering “hope” during the pandemic.
A period of time that she described as full “of anxiety, grief & weariness.”
“It is hard to believe that it is over fifty years since Prince Philip and I attended the very first meeting of the General Synod,” the Earl also read on her behalf.
“None of us can slow the passage of time; and while we often focus on all that has changed in the intervening years, much remains unchanged, including the Gospel of Christ and his teachings.”
She showed her nation just how motivated she was to carry on with her duties.
As she returned back to work after telling Armed Force Chiefs that she couldn’t move.
The Queen was back to work, smiling, and performing duties for her nation.
And she did so via a Zoom conference call.
The Queen virtually welcomed ambassadors, and definitely displayed her ability to power through.
Attending the virtual call was Ambassador of Finland Jukka Siukosaari, with Mariella Siukosaari, and the Ambassador of Jordan Manar Dabbas, with Muna Abuhassan.
And she even managed to crack an adorable smile for her audience.
Despite feeling tense after the day before.
And it’s safe to say, that the Queen had a lot to feel tense about lately.
Especially after Prince Charles tested positive for the coronavirus.
However, that didn’t stop the Queen from ensuring her job continued on.
Including her partaking in her Platinum Jubilee celebration.
The celebration, which marked a whopping 70 years of the Queen’s reign, was well attended.
The vast majority of the royals were there for the many different ceremonies and events over the four days.
Prince William and Kate Middleton were there with their children.
Alongside Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla.
And as ever, all eyes were fixed on the family in the hopes of seeing some drama.
Particularly between Kate Middleton and her son, Prince Louis.
Because it seemed as though little Louis really wasn’t enjoying the celebrations…
As he was spotted pulling a series of amusing facial expressions that got the whole internet talking! But, that wasn’t the only moment people paid attention to…
Because Prince Charles addressing the Queen as “mummy” in his Jubilee speech really turned some heads.
In his speech, the Prince of Wales thanked his mother for the seventy years she has reigned as Queen…
“Your Majesty, mummy, you have met us and talked with us, you laugh and cry with us, and most importantly, you have been there for us for these seventy years. You pledged to serve your whole life. You continue to deliver. That is why we are here. That is what we celebrate tonight. These pictures on your house are the stories of your life, and ours. So, Your Majesty, that is why we all say thank you,” the speech said.
And although Prince Charles elicited a huge cheer from the crowd, social media became divided over his choice of words for his mom.
One person wrote: “Something deeply disturbing about a 70-year-old man who says, Mummy.”
But then the Queen made headlines for some more heartbreaking news…
And it was linked to her childhood friend.
The sad news came just months after the monarch also lost fellow close friends the Duchess of Grafton and Lady Farnham, The Mirror reports.
The Queen’s Scottish-born friend Lady Myra Butter and Her Majesty were “both young girls after she was enlisted to join her in various childhood activities,” including swimming and attending Brownies.
Even so, Lady Myra Butter told The Telegraph last year that “the Guides and the Brownies were a real mixture and was nice” to join friends, family, and “all the people in the royal mews.”
She remained close to Her Majesty and also had a long-standing friendship with Philip — who she paid a “beautiful tribute” to after his death last year.
Where she mentioned how “lost” the Queen would be without her husband.
She also didn’t hesitate to explain that “Philip’s dedication to duty meant nobody could have done that job” as the Duke of Edinburgh had done for decades.
But it was only at the beginning of this year when Lady Myra Butter handed back the Pushkin medal which she was awarded by President Vladimir Putin.
For bringing Russian and Scottish schoolchildren together — but this is no big news for the Queen’s inner circle member…
As she was a descendant of Tsar Nicholas I and of poet and play-writer Alexander Pushkin.
But sadly, Lady Myra Butter passed away at the age of 97 in London…
On Thursday 8th September, Buckingham Palace revealed that the Queen was placed under medical supervision at Balmoral.
It said in a statement: “Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision.
“The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.”
Prince Charles, Camilla, and Prince William traveled to Balmoral to be by Her Majesty’s side.
Just days before her decline in health was announced, the Queen met with Liz Truss to appoint her as the new Prime Minister of the UK.
Harry also traveled to be by the Queen’s side.
The pair canceled an event to travel to Scotland to be with their family.
Now, the devastating news of the Queen’s passing has been announced aged 96.
Meaning Prince Charles is now King with Camilla becoming Queen Consort.
The title was announced before the Queen’s passing just before her Platinum Jubilee.
The Queen said at the time: “When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me.
“And it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”
The Titles have also changed for the new heir to the throne Prince William and Kate Middleton, from Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay, with Kate taking on the female versions.
King Charles’ coronation will likely not take place for a while yet as the family mourn and rigorous planning takes place.
A statement from Buckingham Palace said: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Prince Harry was seen arriving at Balmoral Castle shortly after Her Majesty’s death.
He joins his family to mourn the loss of his grandmother.
Despite being without Meghan for the trip, the pair made a heartwarming gesture by editing their Archewell website.
The blacked-out page reads: “In loving memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022.”
No other areas of the website are accessible at this moment in time.
The pair traveled to greet crowds of royal fans outside Windsor Castle on Saturday, along with Prince William and Kate Middleton.
This is the first time we’ve seen the 2 couples appear together since the death of the Queen.
The enormous crowd of mourners that were present clapped for both couples.
William and Harry have reportedly been feuding for the past couple of years…
But it looks like they’ve put their feud aside, as they paid respects to their grandmother.
But the tears that she shed weren’t for the Queen.
The woman, who Meghan went to comfort, was a fan of hers.
The woman, who was clearly in shock, asked Meghan for a hug.
“Can I have a hug?” she asked.
And Meghan happily obliged, giving the fan one big hug.
Now, a body language expert has offered her view on the controversial moment.
“Meghan’s hug here is way up the scale in terms of both touch, proximity and signals of affection, with a suggestion of offering comfort over the woman they are there to mourn,” Judi James told Fabulous.
“She uses an intentional gesture to make the hug look and feel natural, touching the woman with one hand and offering a smile and head tilt of sympathy to signal a request for a hug might not offend,” she explained.
Plus, her “head rests on the woman’s shoulder to signal a longer time for the hug than anything too speedy.”
“She closes her eyes and smiles to suggest she is savouring the affection,” James added.
However not everyone was so kind…
Many have taken to social media to discuss the matter, with users supporting the fact that people were refusing to shake Meghan’s hand.
“Lady in the blue having none of it,” wrote one user.
“This is so brilliantly British. I want to give a big hug to those ladies who were no eye contact, no warmth towards her, nothing. Blank and move on!!! Well done,” said one person.
Referring to the woman who snubbed Meghan, another wrote: “Who is this woman? I want to buy her a pint.”
However, not everyone was impressed by the disrespect that was shown toward Meghan.
“It is funny, the same people who complain about people disrespecting the Queen, are loving the disrespect shown here,” wrote one person.
“People refusing to shake her hand are so pathetic,” added another.
What do you think?