The Duke of Edinburgh, known for his calming influence within the Royal Family, has once again demonstrated his role as a peacemaker. He has previously helped ease tensions during significant family events, such as the Sussexes’ last public appearance before “Megxit” and was the first to visit Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor at Sandringham.

Prince Edward, now 62, has long been recognized for his diplomatic skills. Back in December 1994, he showcased these abilities when he reached out to the late Princess Diana during the traditional Christmas walkabout.

At that point, Diana, feeling somewhat isolated, had separated from Charles, the then Prince of Wales, but their divorce would not be finalized until the summer of 1996. This period was particularly delicate for her, given the circumstances.

Attending the event as a former partner made the situation understandably tense for Diana. However, a lip reader and body language expert provided insights into how Edward managed to put her at ease during this awkward time.

In a video clip, Edward is seen stepping in during a moment when Diana appeared nervous while conversing with a minister. Lip reader Nicola Hickling noted that Edward reassured Diana, saying, “It’s so good that you came, and great to celebrate together.”

He continued with warmth, “It’s wonderful to see you and the boys and have them here, don’t you think, vicar?” before lightening the mood with a playful comment about her sons, William and Harry: “Have they eaten all of the chocolate?”

Diana responded: ‘Edward, they ate it all before breakfast,’ before the prince replied that ‘boys can’t do anything in moderation’. Diana laughed and added: ‘Boys will be boys.’

Nicola explained: ‘Edward’s approach appears deliberate, by leaning in, keeping the tone light, and drawing others into the conversation, he seems to ease Diana into the group, helping shift the moment from polite formality into something more relaxed and inclusive.’

Body language expert Judi James, observing the same clip, noted: ‘Edward and Sophie have clearly been employed as unofficial royal “air bags” at several recent events with the calm, unproblematic and apparently non-judgmental approach allowing them to take the middle ground as peacemakers or buffers during times of friction in the family.

‘They were famously placed between the Waleses and the Sussexes to make small talk with both couples during Harry and Meghan’s very fraught and emotional last public appearance before leaving for Canada, and it’s now Edward who seems to have been the one paying visits to his brother Andrew in his isolated banishment from the Firm.

‘It’s clear from this clip though that Edward has been taking the role of royal peacemaker and social buffer for several decades. 

‘When Charles and Diana separated, Diana was left with the unenviable job of appearing with the rest of the royals, minus Charles, as they attended church at Sandringham. 

‘This was a formidable line-up that included not just the Queen and Philip but also the fiercely protocol-protective Queen Mother and the Queen’s imperious sister Margaret.

‘Diana is clearly attempting to socialise bravely here and show some of the stoic behaviours the Queen might have admired, but she looks isolated and vulnerable. 

‘She tries to chat and even laugh with the clergy and we can see her step forward to speak directly to the Queen at one point but there is a low-key and rather icy-looking response as the Queen and her sister wander away to join other members of the family.

‘Diana watches the royal women interacting with a group of small children with a wistful expression, her polite social smile melting to suggest she would have loved to have joined in.

‘As she turns back to the clergy, possibly the only person with no desire or authority to “cut” her, her head is lowered in a signal of growing dejection, like a dog lowering its tail.

‘We can see Edward very thoughtfully taking a gentle “stealth” approach to mingling with his downcast sister-in-law though. 

‘Instead of pushing or barging in too obviously to lift the mood he sidles in with his hands clasped behind his back and we can see his sideways glance showing how he is assessing the situation to decide on the best way to perform a “rescue”.

‘His arrival and announcement ritual is a bouncing on his toes before he bends his head and neck round to engage and join in, with one eyebrow raised to signal a light-hearted approach.

‘There is a smile of what looks like relief and gratitude from Diana as she turns to look at him and Edward uses a “pace and lead” ritual of another, jolly-looking bounce on his toes, smiling directly and fondly at Diana as she turns to join in with his chat.’

Years later, in 2020, Edward was praised for diffusing any possible tension as he took his seat between the Sussexes and Cambridges at the Commonwealth Day service.

Edward was seen chatting to Meghan and Harry as the royals took their seats at Westminster Abbey.

The Duke, who was joined by his wife Sophie, deftly bridged the conversation gap between the Sussexes and William and Kate, who were seated on the row in front.

Edward’s relaxed, easy-going nature was noted by royal supporters watching at home, who said he was ‘chatting’ and ‘giggling’ with Meghan to help put her at ease.

The event marked the Sussexes last official outing as senior members of the royal family before they gave up their titles as part of their ‘Megxit’ departure deal.

Then, earlier this month, Edward became the first royal to visit his disgraced brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as he lives in exile, it’s been claimed.

The former prince, 66, who is currently living at Wood Farm in Sandringham, was reportedly paid a visit by his younger brother Edward this week, for a ‘quiet word’.

But the visit was apparently not a brotherly show of support – instead, the Duke of Edinburgh and his wife Sophie reportedly wanted to stay in Wood Farm over Easter.

It is claimed that the pair are worried that Andrew is dragging his heels at his temporary accommodation before his permanent move to Marsh Farm, which is next door on the estate.

Edward and Sophie were forced to stay in the main house at the King’s Sandringham estate over the break, as Andrew is ‘reluctant to leave’ the Norfolk bolt hole, a source told The Sun.

They added: ‘Edward has already publicly made his feelings clear when he expressed concern for the victims.

‘Edward was meant to be staying at Wood Farm as he regularly books it for Easter, but his brother was there.

‘Andrew has been dragging his heels. He could have moved by now, but has been reluctant. Edward has had a quiet word with his brother.’

He was the first family member to see Andrew in two months. The disgraced former prince has been in hiding following his eviction from Royal Lodge in February over his links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.