Princess Beatrice, Eugenie Sent Different Signals Over Prince Andrew Appearance, Expert Claims

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie gave off very different signals after seeing their father Prince Andrew escort Queen Elizabeth to Prince Philip's memorial service, a body language expert has claimed.

On Tuesday, the Queen arrived at Westminster Abbey on the arm of her disgraced second son Prince Andrew for the Service of Thanksgiving in honor of her late husband of 73 years, who died in April 2021 at age 99.

Princess Beatrice, 33, broke down in tears when her father escorted the 95-year-old monarch to her seat in Prince Andrew's first public appearance since settling a sexual assault lawsuit with his accuser Virginia Giuffre.

Body language expert Judi James claimed that Princess Beatrice's "shocking" reaction to seeing her father and grandmother was very different from that of her younger sister Princess Eugenie, 32.

"We saw how Beatrice became overwhelmed by tears after her father arrived with his mother and the Queen had taken her place in front of her, but Beatrice’s response as he first honed into view was equally shocking and more than a little puzzling," James told Mirror.

The expert claimed that Princess Eugenie appeared to glance at Prince Andrew and the Queen as they first walked level with the rest of the royal family, but shortly after seeing her father, the princess turned her gaze forward and kept her composure.

According to James, the younger princess' reaction was markedly different from that of Princess Beatrice, who "seemed to already have her face hidden by her order of service. She performed this total face-covering, shielding ritual after her tears once the Queen and her father were in position, but hiding her face as they walked in would have sent out a very complicated message."

"For everyone aware of the sisters’ tendency to loyalty, this would have been seen as hiding tears of relief and joy at what looked like his re-appearance in public, but when we face-hide we can also suggest shame, making this a risky public gesture," James claimed.

As the ceremony continued, James noticed that Princess Beatrice appeared to have been sucking her thumb in what the body language expert suggested could have been "a bid to self-comfort and avoid more tears."

When the princess continued to cry, her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, turned toward her with "a caring, parental-looking smile" as she searched for a hankie and continued to hide her face, James claimed.

James noted how even before the memorial service began, the emotional pressure appeared to be building in Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie as they arrived at Westminster Abbey.

Comparing the two princesses' reactions, the expert told the Mirror: "Although Beatrice is the older sister, it is Eugenie who always appears more able to project body language signals of a calm maturity and who often appears in the role of almost maternal support of her more anxious-looking sister."

James suggested that Mapelli Mozzi has now taken over Princess Eugenie's job of being Princess Beatrice's support during difficult moments.

The Queen's decision to let Prince Andrew accompany her to the memorial service had sparked backlash, causing various speculations to surface regarding the move, including whether or not the Duke of York wanted to use the event to return to the royal fold.

Royal commentator Robert Jobson, however, tweeted Thursday that Queen Elizabeth "made her decision for her own reasons" and "was not bullied into" the decision by Prince Andrew.

"She asked him to accompany her, and if the Queen asks you to do something, it is not a request," the royal biographer claimed. "The vitriol against Her Majesty is awful. I am not backing Andrew, but it was the Queen’s call."

Jobson also told People earlier that there was disquiet among senior members of the family over the Queen's decision, "but she insisted."

"It does make some sense that he accompany her because he doesn't have a partner. A settlement has been paid, but he's guilty of nothing in the eyes of the law," he said. "She has faith in Andrew. Even if he disappears from public life, he's been able to pay tribute to his father, who after all, was very proud of his service in the Royal Navy, where he fought in the Falkland Islands conflict."