Prince Andrew looked ‘wary and threatened’ as he was seen for the first time after the release of a scathing new biography about his life, a body language expert has claimed.
The disgraced Duke of York, 65, was spotted driving a black Land Rover Defender alongside his ex-wife of 10 years, Fergie, who herself reportedly looked in ‘sadness or deep pain’.
It comes after the prince was heavily criticised in the book penned by Andrew Lownie and serialised by the Mail, called Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York.
One of the most explosive claims was that Prince Andrew and his nephew Prince Harry had a violent altercation in 2013 – something which the Sussexes have denied.
It is also alleged in the biography that Prince Andrew was dubbed ‘sex obsessed’ and a ‘perverted animal’ by convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail that in the photographs, which were first published yesterday, the Duke’s eyes have a ‘wary look’ to them.
She added that his ‘tongue in cheek’ expression could imply that he is ‘threatened’ or is experiencing feelings of ‘contempt’.
Ms James said this marks a contrast from Prince Andrew’s more ‘ebullient-looking body language at recent royal appearances’.
‘Here his eyes have a wary-looking expression, and his mouth is closed with the lips pulled down at the corners,’ Ms James explained.
‘He either has a large sweet in his mouth or he is pushing his tongue into his cheek.
‘The phrase “tongue in cheek” will be used to suggest someone is secretly laughing at something or wanting to appear dryly humorous or even mocking.
‘As a performed gesture though it can be prompted by a range of emotions. Like teeth-licking, it can imply someone feels threatened or it can suggest contempt.
‘It can occur when someone is deep in thought although this looks like the least likely cause here as Andrew is driving and he has his ex-wife beside him for company.’
Speaking of Fergie, who is the mother of Andrew’s two children, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Ms James said she looks in ‘pain’.
‘Fergie’s expression is in total contrast to her signature look,’ the body language expert explained.
‘Her brows are pulled into a deeply etched frown, and her eye expression suggests deep sadness or pain.
‘Her chin is raised to hint at defiance or resilience, but her lips are tightly clamped and even sucked inward, also signalling a sense of inner pain and a possible desire to hide or self-protect.’
The ex-couple were reportedly heading to Windsor Castle for some down time and a casual walk.
Andrew donned a blue long-sleeved collar shirt, and kept one hand on the steering wheel as he glanced out of the four-by-four’s windscreen window.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of York donned a round-neck blouse and her signature red locks were tied away from her face.
The new pictures came after Prince Harry denied having a ‘physical fight’ with Prince Andrew amid claims in the new book that punches were thrown.
It was alleged that the altercation took place during a family gathering in 2013 over ‘something Andrew said behind Harry’s back’.
Author Mr Lownie claimed ‘Harry got the better of Andrew by all accounts’, with Harry leaving his uncle ‘with a bloody nose’ before their brawl was broken up.
Later Andrew is said to have told Harry his marriage to Meghan Markle would not last more than a month and accused his nephew of going ‘bonkers’ and not doing any due diligence into her past.
On Saturday night, representatives for the Duke of Sussex denied the fight ever happened, adding that Andrew never made the alleged comments about Harry.
A spokesman for the Duke of Sussex told the Daily Mail: ‘I can confirm Prince Harry and Prince Andrew have never had a physical fight, nor did Prince Andrew ever make the comments he is alleged to have made about the Duchess of Sussex to Prince Harry.’
In the explosive new biography, it is also alleged that Prince Andrew was dubbed ‘sex obsessed’ and a ‘perverted animal’ by convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
There was even a long-standing rumour of an affair with a household staff member when he was still married to the Duchess of York.
One nanny is said to have left because he made unwelcome advances.
However, a family friend also described the prince as ‘not very socially adept’ and a ‘bedroom bore’ when it comes to women.
‘He’s about as subtle as a hand grenade,’ said another.
As a young man Andrew was said to be juvenile and fond of sly pranks – and sources said he has not changed much as an adult.
One friend described him as a ‘nightmare to sit next to at dinner’, making ghastly jokes about whether the ladies are wearing knickers and ‘lavatorial’ jokes.
At the same time he has a strong sense of of his own position as a senior member of the Royal Family, demanding people call him ‘Your Royal Highness’ and ‘Sir’ and insisting people stand up when he comes into the room.
Some aides have been reduced to tears, while another was moved to different duties because Andrew ‘disliked a mole on the man’s face’.
Former prime minister Boris Johnson was said to have remarked after being forced to dine with Andrew: ‘I’m the last person to be a republican but, f***, if I ever have to spend another lunch like that, I soon will be.’
