Sophie, Countess of Wessex’s body language is ’empathetic’ during ‘personal’ appearance

Sophie Wessex expresses delight at father receiving vaccine

Sophie, Countess of Wessex is the wife of Prince Edward, 56, and a senior working royal. In this role, she made a video call this week to speak to healthcare workers about the coronavirus pandemic.

The coronavirus lockdown across the UK means royals have not been able to carry out engagements as normal.

Instead, members of the family including Kate Middleton and Prince William have used video calls to make virtual appearances.

This is something Sophie, Countess of Wessex also did this week.

The Countess of Wessex shared her joy as she revealed her 89-year-old father has received the coronavirus vaccine.

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A video from the meeting was shared on the “RoyalFamily” Twitter page.

The caption read: “The Countess of Wessex shares her joy that her father has received his Covid-19 vaccine as she joined NHS General Practice nurses and Healthcare Assistants at @HubLincolnshire’s conference yesterday.”

Commenting on the video clip, body language expert Judi James suggested Sophie showed genuine relief when discussing the coronavirus vaccine.

The expert told Express.co.uk: “Both the words used and the body language employed to deliver them suggest Sophie is not speaking as a top-tier royal here but as a loving and relieved daughter and also on behalf of other grateful members of the public who are getting through the current pandemic together.

“Sophie’s initial thanks place her in the role of one of the general public.

“The use of the word ‘We’ rather than ‘I’ when she says ‘We know how much the pandemic has put your through…’ and ‘We’re hugely grateful..’ suggests she is speaking for the many here rather than just herself or her own family.”

During the video, the Countess spoke about her father, stating: “My father received his vaccine, he’s 89 years old and I’m just so happy.”

By speaking about her own experience, the royal made the conversation more personal.

Judi continued: “Her raised brows, slightly tilted head and the way that she gently shakes her head from side to side as she speaks signal both gratitude and awe for the front-line medics she is speaking to.

“Her thanks don’t just sound general though, they also become personal as she tells how her own father received his vaccine on her birthday.

“Sophie becomes emphatically personal as she moves from speaking on behalf of the public to speaking as a grateful daughter.

“‘I had a very wonderful birthday present yesterday’ starts the story about her own 89 year-old father getting his vaccine.

“Sophie openly shares her relief and delight here, tossing her head in a gesture of celebration as she tells the workers she is ‘So happy…’ and widening her eyes as she shares how it is ‘…a huge weight off my mind.’”

The Countess opened up about her own experiences while thanking key workers.

The mother-of-two also shared her appreciation for the coronavirus vaccine.

Judi added: “Her final words are a small but powerful endorsement for the process that should help encourage and reassure people still waiting for their jab: Sophie describes it as ‘quick, easy and simple’ and tells us how her father was ‘full of praise’.”

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