Body language expert reveals Trump was 'parental' toward Prince William at Notre-Dame reopening ceremony

PARIS, FRANCE:  Donald Trump dropped his "usual power-posturing" and became "parental" with Prince William during the monumental Notre-Dame Cathedral reopening ceremony in Paris on Saturday, December 7, according to a body language expert. 

The Prince of Wales and the US president-elect were beaming when they met at the British ambassador's residence in Paris following the historic ceremony.

Body language expert Judi James asserted that the politician's behavior toward the prince was "friendly, almost parental" throughout the day.

Donald Trump seemed to switch out of political mode with Prince William

Donald Trump praised Prince William and referred to him as a "good man" during his first encounter with a member of the British royal family since winning the election last month.

"Trump uses several touch rituals with William to suggest a friendly, almost parental approach, even adding some verbal endorsements as though William needed his approval," James told Daily Mail.

As they greeted one another at the Notre-Dame Cathedral reopening ceremony, footage captured Trump giving William a tender pat on the shoulder.

"With William he became more familiar and friendly [...], patting him on the shoulder as they shook hands and then adding an extra, warmer touch with one hand under the elbow to signal that familiarity and support," the body language expert added. 

She observed, "Trump seemed to switch out of political mode with William and to suggest something more like a family vibe. The hand clasp was a firm one but with no power-posturing, and it was William's thumb clamping the clasp at the top."

Later that day, Trump and William shook hands as the politician entered the Salon Jaune room at the British embassy and posed for photos.

When the MAGA spearhead arrived at the embassy, where William was waiting to receive him, he appeared to stop in the doorway and wait for William to cross the lobby to welcome him.

"This became William's 'act of inconvenience', which refers to the effort and distance a host goes to when greeting a guest," James noted.

According to her, though Trump might have waited to appear courteous, William's approach to the doorway would suggest the 78-year-old was an honored guest.

Donald Trump appeared 'relaxed' in the presence of Prince William

Body language expert Judy James went on to say that Donald Trump immediately took over the room after entering, as he shook William's hands and turned to the cameras.

He gave William another pat of friendship, but while he was speaking to the media, he gave William a very casual thumb jerk to let them know he was "doing a good job," as if the Prince needed the approval.

Unlike his typical formal, political stance, the body language expert said Trump seemed "relaxed" in the prince's presence.

"When they sat together talking and posing Trump adopted a hugely relaxed pose. Instead of the usual alpha leg splay and steepled fingers he uses with other world leaders he leaned across in William's direction with his weight on one elbow that was placed on the arm of the chair," James said.

According to her, the president-elect's "legs were clamped together and crossed at the ankles and he had one hand grasping the wrist of the other."

"He seemed to have dropped all his usual power-posturing and opted for a more comfortable look here, again making it look more like a parental or family visit than a formal or political one," she stated.

William took it all in stride, sitting in a more civilly upright position but wearing a self-effacing smile that went nicely with Trump's parental posing, as per James. 

Prior to the glitzy ceremony at Notre-Dame, Prince William was scheduled to meet with Trump for 30 minutes to talk about the "special relationship" between the US and the UK.

However, the royal had to reschedule his meeting with Trump as well as the current US First Lady Jill Biden due to travel disruptions caused by Storm Darragh, which has pounded parts of the UK.

According to Kensington Palace, the president-elect recalled the late Queen Elizabeth II with fondness during their meeting, which covered a variety of international topics but centered on the value of the UK-US relationship.