Camilla, Charles, Starmer chat over 'missing drink' revealed by lip reader

1 year ago 47

A lip-reader has revealed an encounter between the Prime Minister and Queen Camilla.

By Alycia McNamara, News Reporter

18:42, Mon, May 5, 2025 | UPDATED: 18:51, Mon, May 5, 2025

VE Day: Keir Starmer helps Queen Camilla find her water

A lip-reader has revealed what Sir Keir Starmer said to Queen Camilla at the VE day celebrations earlier today. The Queen could not find her bottle of water and Starmer was able to locate the bottle before tapping the Queen to hand it to her.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Nicole Hickling, founder of LipReader Ltd has recounted the conversation. King Charles said to Camilla: "Well, I have water given to me, yours should be there, just like everyone’s." Sir Keir Starmer then said to the Queen: "Do you want me to see if I can get your water?" The King then said: "It’s a difficult place for it, I appreciate it."

Royal family

The Royal Family joined celebrations for VE day (Image: Getty Images)

Queen Camilla then thanked Sir Keir after he retrieved the water, saying: "Thank you, I am so parched today."

Sir Keir Starmer broke royal protocol during a VE Day service when he tapped Queen Camilla to speak to her about the water.

Footage shows Camilla searching for a water bottle while sitting next to King Charles at a military parade in central London to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2 in Europe.

The Prime Minister noticed her search, spotted the bottle and then tapped the Queen to alert her to it.

King Charles

King Charles salutes as the parade passes by (Image: Getty Images)

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He can then be seen reaching down by the Queen's seat and picking up the bottle before passing it to her.

While no doubt meaning to be helpful, Sir Keir inadvertently broke the rules around touching a member of the Royal Family.

The rule has been a longstanding tradition intended to establish distance between a Royal Family member and a commoner.

Royal protocol means that no one should touch the royal family unless they initiate the contact which is usually done by a handshake.

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