Prince Andrew and the Queen: 5 pictures that show Duke is Queens favourite – expert

Nicola Thorp: Monarchy only care about Prince Andrew's reputation

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Prince Andrew, 61, has taken refuge at Queen Elizabeth II’s Balmoral Castle after Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre filed a lawsuit in the USA on Monday, claiming the Duke of York sexually abused her when she was 17.

While Andrew has not responded to this latest twist in the Epstein saga, he has previously denied all allegations of sexual misconduct made against him.

Andrew is believed to be the Queen’s favourite son and she will no doubt seek to comfort him as he faces mounting pressure.

He arrived in the Scottish Highlands on Tuesday with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and they have since been joined by their youngest daughter Princess Eugenie, 31, and her family.

As the Queen shows her support for Andrew, Express.co.uk asked a body language expert to analyse photos of the mother and son together over the years.

Body language expert and author Judi James has examined five pictures of Andrew with the Queen from over the decades and claimed they show their special bond.

Judi said: “Andrew is always said to be the Queen’s favourite child and their early photos do seem to bear that theory out.

“Charles and Anne were teens when their mother became pregnant again, meaning it was Andrew who received the undivided attention in the family at a time when his parents were probably better placed to offer it than they might have been when Charles was a young child.

“The eye contact between mother and second son looks like a feature of their family poses and as Andrew got older he seemed to move into the role of his mother’s protector and solicitous rock.”

Judi added: “It was Andrew beside her organising things during the fire at Windsor Castle and it is also Andrew who appears able to act like a respectful-looking courtier beside her and get away with it from a woman normally allergic to any fuss in public.”

‘Attention-seeking behaviour’ – 1965

Responding to a picture of Prince Andrew, the Queen, his father and siblings, taken to mark the Queen’s 39th birthday, Judi flagged “attention-seeking” behaviours in the future Duke of York.

The expert said: “While his two older siblings are in adult mode and his younger brother is still in a pram, Andrew appears to have had free rein in terms of attention-seeking behaviour.”

Judi added: “Here he pretends to push the pram and the way his eyes are on his mother’s face suggests he is doing so to impress her and win her approval.”

“She responds with eye contact and the kind of indulgent smile that appears to be a feature of their relationship.”

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‘Chatty and confident’ – 1972

Responding to a picture of the Queen and her immediate family taken to mark her and Philip’s 25th wedding anniversary, Judi claimed Andrew again appears to be seeking attention from his parents.

She said: “Charles sits looking isolated and morose here but Andrew is at the hub of the family group and very much centre of attention.

“He looks chatty and confident, seeking attention again and getting it from his parents, along with some smiles of approval.”

‘Delighted Queen’ – 1986

Reacting to a photo of the Queen, Andrew, Philip and Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson standing on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, Judi claimed the Queen appears “delighted” by her son’s attention.

Judi said: “Fergie leans right over here in a bid to join in the rapport between mother and son and Philip sits it out on the side-lines.

“Andrew appears to be leaning in to dance attendance on his mother here and that more solicitous look has appeared as he seems to explain something to her. The Queen’s smile shows she is delighted by the attention and the conversation here.”

‘Solicitous courtier’ – 2019

Responding to a photo of Andrew with the Queen at Trooping the Colour in 2019, Judi claimed he appears to want to get her attention.

The expert said: “Even in full uniform, Andrew adopts the pose of a solicitous courtier beside his mother, with his hands tentatively clasped in front as he leans in to gain her attention.

“His raised brows look respectful and polite and his reward is a very happy smile from his mother.

“Charles, meanwhile, appears unable to get the same level of attention here.”

‘Supporting chaperone’ – 2020

Reacting to the most recent photo of the Queen and Andrew together taken months after he withdrew from royal life in November 2019, Judi claimed he seems to be acting like a chaperone to the Queen.

The expert said: “On a visit with his mother, Andrew walks behind, adopting the hands-behind-the-back clasp that seems to announce he is her solicitous-looking chaperone and support.”

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