The future King subtly shields his mouth during a chat with the Duke of York, adopting a tactic used by athletes and politicians to outsmart lip readers.
Prince William appears to have learned a discreet trick to maintain his privacy and avoid media misinterpretation.
During the Duchess of Kent’s funeral, all eyes were on the Prince of Wales and Prince Andrew, whose strained relationship continues to draw public interest due to Andrew’s ongoing controversies and his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Observers noticed the future King covering his mouth as he made a brief comment to the Duke of York — a gesture that didn’t go unnoticed.
Brand and culture expert Nick Ede told the Daily Mail that William’s move shows a strong awareness of his public image. “He knows that every gesture and word is watched, analysed, and replayed,” Ede said. “By covering his mouth, he’s using a media-savvy technique often seen in footballers, celebrities, and politicians who want to keep private conversations private. It’s a subtle but effective signal that he understands how quickly an innocent remark can be taken out of context.”
Ede added that the Prince’s awareness of lip readers and global media scrutiny reflects his understanding of how to protect both his words and his reputation.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that both Andrew and his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, have been informed they will not be invited to the Royal Family’s Christmas festivities or future royal gatherings. The tension reportedly deepened after emails resurfaced showing Ferguson apologising to Epstein and referring to him as her “supreme friend.”
