Body language expert describes how King Charles really felt about Keir Starmer becoming PM
The handshake between King Charles and Keir Starmer as the newly-elected Prime Minister "looked firm and friendly" confirms body language expert.
After Labour's landslide victory in the general election, Sir Keir Starmer went to Buckingham Palace to meet with King Charles who had invited him to form a new administration.
Protocol means exact details of the conversation, which happens behind closed doors, are kept secret from the public and between the two parties.
However, the monarch had invited the Labour leader to officially become Prime Minister and to form a government during which a series of official photographs and a short video of their introduction were released to mark the visit.
According to body language expert Judi James their gestures hint at what they might have been saying or thinking. Speaking to the Mirror, Judi James said the initial handshake looked firm and friendly.
Judi explained: "The poses from that point though show an unusual proximity between them as they continue to clasp hands and chat, almost like established friends."
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The body language expert believes King Charles kept things friendly with the Labour leader. She explained: "At one point Charles even performs the lowered point, using his index finger in a signature gesture to suggest he is sharing a moment of humour."
Judi also revealed how Keir Starmer also used the "politician's trick" of "emphatic hand gesticulation" to make a "big point" so that Charles could sit back and listen.
The King exchanged a few words with the newly-elected Prime Minister, saying: "You must be utterly exhausted and on your knees, anyway, you are here."
He then added: "You'll have to get to grip with everything straight away", to which the Prime Minister replied: "A quick change over" and the King responded: "To say the least."
Sir Keir Starmer is the King's third Prime Minister in just three years. His first was Liz Truss, who was in power when he took the throne in September 2022. However she didn't stay in power for long, and was replaced by Rishi Sunak shortly after.
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In a remarkable seven decades on the British throne, the late Queen Elizabeth II saw 15 British Prime Ministers come and go during her reign, from Sir Winston Churchill to Margaret Thatcher and Boris Johnson to the short-lived Liz Truss.
On July 5, Buckingham Palace released the following statement: "The King received in Audience The Right Honourable Sir Keir Starmer MP today and requested him to form a new Administration.
"Sir Keir accepted His Majesty's offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury."
Upon arrival at the Palace, Sir Keir and his wife Victoria were driven through the North Centre Gate and across the Forecourt into the Quadrangle. The Starmers were greeted at The King's Door by Sir Clive Alderton, Principal Private Secretary to The King and Queen, and Commander William Thornton, Royal Navy, Equerry to The King.
As is custom, at the end of their meeting, Lady Victoria Starmer was presented to the King as she and her husband prepare to move into No. 10 Downing Street.
