The event marked the largest gathering of senior royals since the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor two weeks earlier. Although the ceremony displayed traditional pageantry and smiles for the cameras, a forensic lip reader claimed several private interactions hinted at tension behind the scenes.
Prince William’s Reported Comment to Princess Anne
According to Nicola Hickling, a forensic lip-reading expert from LipReader, one particularly revealing moment occurred when the Prince of Wales spoke with his aunt, Princess Anne.
During the exchange, William allegedly said, “I’ve had enough of hearing his name, to be honest.”
The analyst noted that it was not clear what Princess Anne said beforehand because her back was turned to the camera. However, William was also reportedly seen adding, “It’s up for debate.”
While the expert could not confirm exactly who William was referring to, the remark appeared to relate to the ongoing controversy surrounding the former Duke of York following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
King Charles’ Reaction Upon William’s Arrival
The lip reader also suggested the tense mood began earlier when William arrived at the Abbey. According to the analysis, King Charles III greeted his son with the words, “Oh, finally,” while appearing slightly irritated.
William reportedly responded by greeting his father warmly and kissing him on both cheeks but did not seem to reply verbally. The King then turned to Princess Anne and commented, “It’s not good out there… it’s rather tense, isn’t it? It’s not good.”
The expert believes the King was likely referring to a small group of anti-monarchist protesters gathered outside the Abbey.
The analyst added that Charles later appeared to say something else to William and Catherine, prompting the Prince to step forward and respond, “We’re not happy.”
Princess Anne Tries to Keep Things Calm
Princess Anne seemed to handle the atmosphere in her own calm way. When she arrived at the Abbey, she reportedly told her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, “Don’t listen to them, ignore them.”
Outside, a small group of protesters from the Republic campaign group could be heard shouting questions such as “What did you know?” while waving flags.