According to a body language expert, young Prince Louis seemed to recognize that he may have gone a bit too far in teasing his older brother, Prince George, during a recent public appearance.
On Monday, 5 May, members of the royal family gathered in London for the VE Day parade. Despite the significance of the occasion, it was the youngest child of Prince William and Kate Middleton who captured much of the public’s attention.
During the parade, 11-year-old Prince George was seen brushing his hair out of his face, a subtle grooming gesture. Shortly after, his younger brother, seven-year-old Prince Louis, appeared to dramatically imitate the move, much to the amusement of viewers watching the event at home.
Body language expert Inbaal Honigman, speaking on behalf of Big Fat Links, analyzed the playful moment and explained why Louis likely realized he had crossed a line.
“Just before the hair mimicry, you can see Prince Louis scanning his surroundings, likely looking for a bit of fun,” Honigman explained. “His tongue pressed into his cheek is a classic sign of cheekiness — he was clearly in a mischievous mood, ready to turn anything into a game.”
And it didn’t take long for him to find one.
When Prince George ran his fingers through his hair, Louis quickly exaggerated the gesture in a playful mimicry.
Honigman noted that this kind of behavior is typical among siblings. “It’s common for younger siblings to copy their older brothers or sisters — it shows admiration and the desire to emulate them,” she said.
“Louis turning George’s simple grooming motion into a humorous act signals a strong bond between them. It shows that Louis feels safe enough to joke around without fear of upsetting his brother.”
Interestingly, the body language expert pointed out that each brother’s hair flick had a different tone. While George’s gesture was a subtle sign of grooming, reflecting his awareness of being in a public, responsible role, Louis’s version was deliberately exaggerated and comedic.
“George’s patting of his hair suggests that he wants to be seen in a certain way — responsible and well-composed — and perhaps seeks approval from those around him,” Honigman explained.
“In contrast, Louis adds a theatrical flair to his imitation, complete with a slight eye roll, clearly indicating he’s making fun.”
After the interaction, their responses told another part of the story. Honigman observed that George silently stared at Louis, perhaps mildly offended, while Louis avoided his brother’s gaze entirely.
“Louis’s refusal to make eye contact with George afterwards shows he understood he might have gone a little too far,” she said. “He knew he’d overstepped, even if just slightly.”
Despite the playful breach, Honigman concluded on a positive note, emphasizing the strong relationship between the two brothers. “The fact that they can joke around like this, even during a formal event, is a clear sign of trust and affection. It shows they have a close and supportive sibling bond.”
