Prince William told Princess Anne: ‘I’ve had enough of hearing his name,’ according to a lip reader who has revealed the ‘tense’ conversations shared between the Royal Family at the Commonwealth Day service.

King Charles, the Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales yesterday led the largest gathering of senior royals since the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, marking the annual occasion at Westminster Abbey.

During one ‘telling’ moment, William made his feelings known to his aunt, the Princess Royal, apparently saying to her: ‘I’ve had enough of hearing his name, to be honest,’ claimed Nicola Hickling.

The forensic lip reading expert and analyst at LipReader said it was unclear what Anne said to prompt this reaction as her back was to the camera. However, during the ‘brief and subdued’ conversation, William also said: ‘It’s up for debate.’

Nicola was unable to confirm who exactly the Prince was referring to with his comments but it could have been related to the ongoing fallout surrounding the disgraced former Duke of York, who was arrested two weeks ago on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Meanwhile, King Charles appeared to share a ‘tense’ moment with his son upon his arrival, saying ‘oh finally’ whilst wearing an irritated expression, the lip reader claimed. 

William responded with a quick greeting, kissing his father on both cheeks, but did not appear to say anything in return.

The King then told his sister Princess Anne: ‘It’s not good out there… it’s rather tense, isn’t it? It’s not good.’ It’s likely Charles was referring to the small but vocal group of anti-monarchist protestors outside the Abbey.

His Majesty then continued to greet the rest of his family, including the Princess of Wales, and ‘seemed to say something further to Kate and William, prompting the Prince to step slightly forward and respond: ”We’re not happy”’, Nicola told the Daily Mail.

Elsewhere, like her brother, Princess Anne also apparently referred to the protestors upon her arrival at the London occasion. According to the lip reader, she told her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence ‘don’t listen to them, ignore them’. 

The faintest occasional cry of ‘what did you know’ in reference to Andrew could be heard from a small group of flag-waving anti-monarchist protesters from the Republic pressure group, but they were competing with the sound of the abbey bells and a group of Commonwealth musicians. 

‘Oh listen to that, do you know what it is they’re playing?,’ asked the Princess Royal as she walked past the band, no doubt in an effort to distract from the protesters’ shouts. 

Earlier large crowds had gathered to catch a glimpse of the royal party, who joined an 1,800-strong congregation celebrating the historic ‘family of nations’ formed in the breakdown of the British empire but now comprising 56 independent member countries, united by ‘shared values including a commitment to promoting democracy, human rights, the rule of law and equality for its 2.7 billion citizens’.

The royal party arrived to a fanfare inside the Abbey with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester arriving first, followed by the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and then the Prince and Princess of Wales.

All were greeted by the Dean of Westminster and presented to the Chapter and members of the Royal Commonwealth Society.

They included Commonwealth Secretary General, The Hon Shirley Botchwey, and Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society, Janet Cooper.

The King and Queen were the last to arrive, shaking the hands of those in the line-up before greeting the rest of the family with warm kisses. Charles opened up his arms to welcome his eldest son and heir.

The ladies slightly giggled amongst themselves about the size of their hats, with Princess Anne smiling and indicating to Catherine that she wouldn’t even attempt a kiss. Others just offered a peck on one cheek, instead of the traditional two for fear of knocking their sizeable headwear.

Led by the King, the family then formed into a processional group ahead of the National Anthem.

The party walked to their seats behind the Commonwealth Mace Bearer during the first hymn ‘Praise To The Lord, The Almighty, The King Of Creation’.

In his annual Commonwealth Day message – which this year emphasises the theme of ‘collaboration’ – King Charles acknowledged deeply challenging times globally, but insisted it was also an opportunity for the Commonwealth to demonstrate its ‘enduring spirit’.

In his address, which was printed in the order of service, he said: ‘We join together on this Commonwealth Day at a time of great challenge and great possibility.

‘Across our world, communities and nations face the increasing pressures of conflict, climate change and rapid transformation. Yet it is often in such testing moments that the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth is most clearly revealed.

‘Ours is a remarkable association that spans every ocean and continent. Embracing an extraordinary diversity of culture, language and faith, our Commonwealth family is united by shared values of justice, democracy, opportunity, compassion and mutual respect.

‘In a world that can feel increasingly fragmented, this voluntary union of free association remains rare and precious – a forum for open and honest discussion and debate to help improve the lives of the nearly three billion people who call our Member States home.’

He stressed that the organisation holds ‘untapped potential for prosperous trade between trusting partners’ – which some might consider a backhanded nod towards US President Donald Trump and his controversial trade tariffs.

He added: ‘With nearly two-thirds of our population under the age of thirty, we are a family defined by youth and possibility. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that they inherit not only hope and ambition, but also a world in which they can flourish.’

The King also used his message to highlight an environmental message, saying the inheritance of the Commonwealth ‘depends upon the health of our planet and on the restoration of the natural world on which we depend’.

He continued: ‘Across so many parts of our Commonwealth climate change is not an abstract or distant threat, but a lived reality. The stewardship of nature, the protection of oceans and forests, and the pursuit of prosperity secured in harmony with the natural world are duties we owe not only to one another, but to generations yet unborn.’

Highlighting this autumn’s biannual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, the King stressed that the organisation was very much the sum of its parts, saying: ‘We are reminded that the great gatherings of our nations are strengthened by the daily endeavours of their people. What distinguishes the Commonwealth is not only what our governments resolve together, but what our people do each day in countless acts of service, enterprise and creativity.

‘When leaders meet, they do so on behalf of millions whose quiet determination, resilience and generosity give true meaning to our shared endeavour.

‘Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good – grounded in community, committed to the kind of restorative sustainability that has a return on investment, enriched by culture, steadfast in its care for our planet, and united in friendship and in the service of its people.’