Several members of the royal family joined in the celebrations during this year’s Trooping the Colour. There was the usual display of pomp and pageantry during the annual parade, which celebrates King Charles’ official birthday in June (not his actual birthday in November). And it all ends with a balcony moment from the king himself and the working royals who gather on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a flypast.

The family appears on the balcony for several minutes prior to the flypast and are always seen in what looks to be natural conversation with each other. But just because no one can hear them doesn’t mean we don’t know what they’re saying, since now a professional lip reader is sharing what she observed.

Here’s what the expert says King Charles and Prince William were discussing on the balcony.

Lip reader decodes conversation between King Charles and Prince William

Nicola Hickling is a lip-reading expert and the founder of LipReader, a company specializing in lipreading and expert witness reports. Hickling has spearheaded the development of innovative technologies and services that empower individuals with hearing impairments. She has also appeared in the likes of the Daily Mail, Page Six, Newsweek, and more.

Speaking on behalf of Slingo, Hickling told Showbiz Cheat Sheet that when the king appeared on the balcony, he acknowledged to his wife Camilla they were “a little late.” Charles then waved to the crowd, and at one point engaged in a conversation with William.

According to Hickling, the Prince of Wales said to his father, “At least it’s not grey.”

The lip reader then observed the king ask his son, “Can you see it?” to which William replies, “Er… that’s the Chinook, that’d be the paras.”

William tells his dad, “It’s been great today.” The monarch agreed, saying: “Yes, it has.”

After a moment, the Red Arrows perform the flypast as the whole family looked up at the impressive display. 

Expert says the king looked ‘elated as he watched the flypast’

Darren Stanton is a body language and behavioral expert with a degree in psychology. He previously worked as a police officer and used his expertise to uncover the truth when interviewing hundreds of suspects. He later moved into media and TV as a consultant and has been dubbed the “Human Lie Detector.”

He analyzed the footage from the royal event and said the monarch looked as eager and happy as ever to see the flypast, even though he has seen them so many times in the past.

Speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino, Stanton told Showbiz Cheat Sheet: “Charles had a really big beam on his face. It was clear that he was loving taking part. It was all something obviously his mother used to do … Charles had got a fantastic expression on his face — still appeared elated, still mesmerized despite seeing these things many times.

“He seemed really excited to see the flyby — same for Camilla as well. They were also flanked by Princess Anne, in full regalia … William smiling, looking really happy to be on the balcony. It looked like the whole of the royal family were in great spirits and in a good frame of mind, showing genuine smiles throughout. The king especially showed great stamina and really enjoyed the whole procedure.”

Showbiz Cheat Sheet acknowledges that conditions and cultures can impact body language and is sensitive to all backgrounds.