Prince William recently traveled to Monaco to attend the Blue Economy and Finance Forum at the Grimaldi Forum.

The Prince of Wales’ solo trip was focused on ocean preservation. While in the country for the event, he met with a handful of world leaders as well as Earthshot Prize finalists, the winners, and key partners to showcase innovative marine conservation solutions.

William also delivered a speech at the forum saying that nations need to take “bold action to protect and restore our planet.” He has received praise and high marks for that speech.

Now, a body language expert is breaking down the way in which the royal delivered his speech, noting that he stepped “out of his comfort zone” and wasn’t as “relaxed” or as “jovial” as we’re used to seeing him.

Expert say Prince William was not as ‘relaxed’ as he normally is during speech in Monaco

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.”

Stanton analyzed the speech William delivered about the urgency and importance of protecting our oceans.

Speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino, Stanton told Showbiz Cheat Sheet: “Prince William’s demeanour during his speech in Monaco was serious and determined, a notable change from the more relaxed, jovial persona he often projects during public appearances. This shift in tone spoke volumes about the personal significance of the occasion and the depth of his commitment to the humanitarian causes he was addressing.

“Throughout the speech, he was incredibly focused. His posture was upright and composed, reinforcing the seriousness of his message. While he is usually known for his warmth and humour, here we saw a more earnest and reflective version of the Prince, one that echoed the compassion and sense of duty often associated with his late mother, Princess Diana.”

Why the Prince of Wales’ choice to speak in French was ‘brave’

Stanton added that the Prince of Wales’ decision to deliver some remarks during his speech in French was “brave” and “respectful.”

“Delivering part of the speech in French was a particularly brave and respectful gesture, especially given the high-profile setting,” the expert said. “This again shows his dedication to connecting with a broader audience, even if it pushed him slightly out of his comfort zone. Understandably, this led to some small signs of nervousness; he looked down at his notes frequently, perhaps to ground himself or ensure accuracy. 

“However, these moments did not detract from his overall delivery. His eye contact was firm and direct, conveying confidence and sincerity. His voice remained steady and controlled, showing that he had prepared well and was emotionally invested in the content of his speech. That vocal consistency helped reinforce the strength of his message and kept the audience engaged throughout.”

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