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Lip Reading The Royals.

(46 Posts)
Calendargirl Sun 01-Mar-26 10:28:35

Watched this on Channel 5 last night, and found it fascinating.

Showed the ‘forensic lip readers’ at work on footage of the Coronation and other events.

They were careful to say much of the time ‘I believe this is what the King/Camilla/ Princess Anne…is saying,’ but yes, you could see they were spot on.

You realise Charles had much on his mind that day, apart from the Coronation. (Harry for one).

midgey Sun 01-Mar-26 11:43:10

I’m not sure that I approve of this, there is not much privacy allowed to any celebrity whether royal or not. This all seems a step too far for me.

BlueBelle Sun 01-Mar-26 11:47:25

Well I remember when Charles had a go to his boys about a news reporter who heard it all, thought that was hilarious…. was it Nicolas Witchall, my memory is awful probably someone completely different.
I tend to agree Midgy I d hate to think someone was watching my every lip move and maybe getting it wrong. It’s pretty intrusive really.

Allira Sun 01-Mar-26 12:11:04

I agree, it is intrusive.

Mind you, couldn't blame them if they were muttering "Fed up with the whole bloody lot of them, just want a comfy chair, a footstool and a G&T!".
Meaning the press, of course, not us 😁

crazyH Sun 01-Mar-26 12:15:00

Yes Bluebelle it was .

sodapop Sun 01-Mar-26 12:37:54

Allira grin I can just imagine Queen Camilla saying that.

Anniebach Sun 01-Mar-26 12:43:43

It is intrusive,

Lathyrus3 Sun 01-Mar-26 12:55:42

As someone who has been hearing impaired from childhood and who can lip read very proficiently, I want to say that anyone who claims they can read what somebody is saying from a distance with no context to go on, is simply making it up.

In order to lip read well you need to know what the conversation is about, to have a clear frontal view and to be close so that you can sense the aspirants and tongue movements that have no lip connection and to be able to pick up minute facial expressions that establish the underlying emotion connected to the speech.

And even then you sometimes need a bit of help with extra information to clarify what the speaker has said as in the story of the granny who was enjoying dinner with the family and asked what was in the casserole. After several people had just gaped at her in answer, she found the sensible one who said “Not rabbit. Hare.” Try it.

Lip reading is complex and not easy, though it is a tremendous help and well worth learning if your hearing is poor or failing.

Programmes and claims like this make me a bit cross because they are so far from reality.

Mollygo Sun 01-Mar-26 13:56:16

Good post Lathyrus3
You obviously know what you’re talking about re lipreading.
I’m gradually getting better, (Needs must) but at a distance, and without context?
Maybe I’ll get better at guess work too.

RosiesMawagain Sun 01-Mar-26 14:12:05

Isn’t it little better than eavesdropping?
As a child I was taught «Eavesdroppers never hear good about themselves»
End of.

Charleygirl5 Sun 01-Mar-26 14:17:53

midgy I couldn't agree more. It is so intrusive. Catherine should be able to tell William she needs the loo without the country knowing, Anything they say to each other or dignitaries should remain private.

I also am trying to lip-read a friend and have to be almost touching and still do not manage the entire conversation, but I get the gist of it.

Witzend Sun 01-Mar-26 14:27:58

BlueBelle

Well I remember when Charles had a go to his boys about a news reporter who heard it all, thought that was hilarious…. was it Nicolas Witchall, my memory is awful probably someone completely different.
I tend to agree Midgy I d hate to think someone was watching my every lip move and maybe getting it wrong. It’s pretty intrusive really.

Was it ‘That BLOODY man!’ - re Nicholas Witchell?

JaneJudge Sun 01-Mar-26 14:38:43

People lip read every day though, I can't see this is any different . They have a public face and they need to be careful about how they address one another in public, like lots of high profile people.

Can you remember that time Gordon Brown forgot to turn his mic off? same rule applies. Don't bite the hand that feeds you

Greenfinch Sun 01-Mar-26 14:39:33

I am horrified that such a programme was allowed to be broadcast. I saw it was on but didn’t watch. Why would I be interested in their private conversations anyway?

Dreadwitch Mon 02-Mar-26 14:02:45

I'm not proficient at lip reading but due to neurological issues I rely on it a lot of the time.. And I totally agree with you. There is no way I could accurately know what someone is saying without being right in front of them and knowing the context of the conversation. I've tried and got it horribly wrong lol and I've tried doing it with people on tv like the royal family, it's hilarious the things I think they're saying. I also use facial expressions to help me understand the words spoken, if they don't match up then it won't work... If Kate was smiling for the cameras while giving one of the kids a bollocking I wouldn't have a clue. And neither do these so called experts, they might get a few words but most of it is simply made up, what's worse is the people that lap it up and believe it all.

Allira Mon 02-Mar-26 14:19:36

Greenfinch

I am horrified that such a programme was allowed to be broadcast. I saw it was on but didn’t watch. Why would I be interested in their private conversations anyway?

The OP said Watched this on Channel 5 last night

Channel 5. You might know! It might have some good programmes like The Yorkshire Vet but they put on so many programmes about the Royal Family it's as if someone at Channel 5 has an unhealthy obsession with them.

Just weird.

Etoile2701 Mon 02-Mar-26 16:07:22

BlueBelle

Well I remember when Charles had a go to his boys about a news reporter who heard it all, thought that was hilarious…. was it Nicolas Witchall, my memory is awful probably someone completely different.
I tend to agree Midgy I d hate to think someone was watching my every lip move and maybe getting it wrong. It’s pretty intrusive really.

Yes it was Nicholas Witchell. I remember it too. Very embarrassing.

123kitty Mon 02-Mar-26 16:31:34

Princess Margaret didn’t appear to move her lips when she spoke - I imagine she would have proved difficult to read

Plevey08 Mon 02-Mar-26 16:42:11

Well I dislike this ridiculous Royal family, who we as taxpayers have to fund. Not to mention the billions they make from their Duchy's. There is no transparency regarding anything they do...as we've clearly seen over many years. So catching them out on the programme showing their dissatisfaction which each other and Charlie and Camilla ( who I really cannot call Queen) complaining about there silly crowns...cheered me up no end.

Mollygo Mon 02-Mar-26 16:56:58

Plevey08

Well I dislike this ridiculous Royal family, who we as taxpayers have to fund. Not to mention the billions they make from their Duchy's. There is no transparency regarding anything they do...as we've clearly seen over many years. So catching them out on the programme showing their dissatisfaction which each other and Charlie and Camilla ( who I really cannot call Queen) complaining about there silly crowns...cheered me up no end.

I expect you’d feel the same if someone publicised you saying something you didn’t really say for the enjoyment of others.

Smileless2012 Mon 02-Mar-26 16:59:33

An invasion of privacy.

RSALLAN2002 Mon 02-Mar-26 18:13:29

I'd like to know what DT is saying to J Epstein in that clip of them together.

Tuliptree Mon 02-Mar-26 18:44:23

No privacy when at work. They should just behave themselves and only say things that they would be happy to have broadcast on loud speakers. Politicians get roasted when comments picked up by a mic they didn’t realise was still on. They should behave themselves as well

Plevey08 Mon 02-Mar-26 19:09:21

Well Mollygo... I'd hardly be on the tele being watched by thousands. Nor do I have a privelidged royal background with the best schooling... they're all a bit dim anyway and not even the best education helped the. I tend to chat to anyone I may disagree with. Not keen on gossiping...not my style.

Mollygo Mon 02-Mar-26 19:12:50

Plevey08
But would you be happy to be publicised saying something you didn’t say? Or do you think plebs deserve privacy?
Remember big brother is watching you.