Social media users quickly weighed in. One described the moment as “so awkward,” suggesting that “Prince William doesn’t want to be anywhere near him.” Another noted: “William understands the importance of optics. He might have answered while rubbing his nose, but William made sure he wasn’t speaking with Andrew while the cameras were near. Wise William!”
A third joked: “Prince William: I know you didn’t just start small talk because the camera is on us? They won’t catch my mouth moving.”
A fourth observer added: “As family bid farewell at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral, Prince Andrew appears to want a chat with his nephew and says something he finds funny. William has no desire to respond. He doesn’t say a single word…”
Prince William: I know you didn’t just start some small talk, because the camera is on us?
They won’t catch my mouth moving. pic.twitter.com/evNOiyKro2— Melanated Mona (@Melanated_Mona) September 16, 2025
Awkwardness or Respect?
Not all agreed with the interpretation. Some suggested William may have simply avoided smiling or laughing given the somber nature of the event.
Body language expert Judi James, speaking to MailOnline, suggested otherwise. “The Duke of York tries to engage his nephew in a good-humoured chat, and all William’s non-verbal responses suggest awkwardness and a subliminal desire to reject the overtures, making this look like a very frosty transaction.”
She added: “William is at some pains to appear polite despite potentially feeling compromised here, but he is clearly made uncomfortable and is perhaps relieved when he can return to the more solemn facial expression of mourning.
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