Prince William shows true colours after returning to old workplace in Wales
EXCLUSIVE: William made a visit to the Royal Air Force station, where he was stationed for three years. We checked in with body language expert Judi James to ask her how it went.
Prince William's arrival at RAF Valley in Anglesey
Prince William made a visit to the RAF station in Wales, where he was stationed for three years. Going back to a former workplace could be nerve-wracking, but not for William, says one body language expert, he appeared to be having a “warm and happy experience.”
William made his way to the Royal Air Force station on the island of Anglesey in Wales, where William and Kate once lived. He was stationed at the RAF from 2010-2013, serving as a search and rescue pilot.
He retuned to the base on Tuesday of this week, which happened to be a windy and rainy day, with William saying it would’t feel like home if it was any different.
While on the base, William made a visit to the air traffic control centre, joined fire crews in a simulation exercise and met with a former flying instructor, Captain Brian Wills.
We reached out to body language expert Judi James to ask about the day with James saying he seemed very comfortable returning to his old stomping grounds.
James said: “William’s body language during this visit to his old workplace seems to suggest pride, an easy-going recognition of everything he is being shown.”
She added: “When we visit somewhere for the first time we adopt what are called ‘tourist eyes’, taking everything in for the first time and reacting with curiosity.”
“William though shows no such symptoms here, smiling and tilting his head to suggest he’s seen it all before.”
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Since William was stationed at the RAF for three years, he knows his way around the base, so he didn’t feel like, nor was he treated like, a visitor, says James.
James watched footage of the visit, which is what she based her assessment on, saying she sees a “hint of nostalgia” for a time when life was a lot less complicated for him and Kate, living on the quiet island amongst a close-knit community.
“It’s clearly a warm and happy experience for him to be able to share experiences rather than just be a royal visitor.”
William’s body language suggests he may want to “roll up his sleeves” and “get back onto the job again,” says James.
“His pose when he stands watching the work being done even hints that he would like to get back onto the job again.”
“His back is slightly arched, his head tilted and his hands are clasped in front of his torso in what could be a restraining gesture to stop himself from rolling up his sleeves and joining in.”
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When joining the fire crew for the simulation exercise, William tried to spray the media with the water hose, but he said the crew were “very-well behaved."
While William can be a jokester, when he was stationed at the RAF he was all business, says his former instructor Captain Wills.
"I get asked a lot how was it training him and what extra privileges did he have, but I treated him like anybody else,” Captain Wills said, when speaking to the BBC. "He did everything exactly as anybody else would have done.
