the times | Tuesday March 15 2022 19
News
sources said it was unlikely that the
Queen would undertake large-scale
public investitures again, with the cere-
monies carried out by other members
of the royal family. There is recognition
among figures within Buckingham Pal-
ace that the monarch, who only recent-
ly recovered from Covid, is not as physi-
cally strong as she once was.The philosopher Marshall McLuhan
said “the medium is the message”. A
study suggests that if the medium is an
emoji, the message is that the sender
needn’t be taken too seriously.
Researchers claim to have found evi-
dence that people are perceived as “less
powerful” when they communicate us-
ing pictures rather than words. They
suggest this is relevant for the work-
place, and that employees who use
emojis risk sabotaging their chances of
being seen as influential and important.
Dr Elinor Amit, of Coller School of
Management at Tel Aviv University,
who led the study, said: “Our findings
raise a red flag: when you want to signal
power, think twice before sending an
emoji.”
The research included several exper-
scenes. He said: “It’s amazing how the
whole industry has just come on, even
in a year. There are new tricks to the
trade and it’s amazing what you can do
with a half-inflated netball.”
Asked what exactly the actors did
with such a device, he added: “Well, if
there are two people doing a sex scene,
the rule is they must have three barriers
separating them and there are certain
acts where a half-inflated netball can
allow for movement without having to
connect physically. It’s pretty silly
really and we have some hilarious mo-
ments, but it makes it less awkward.”
Much has changed on sets when
filming sex scenes after the MeToo
movement and accusations from fe-
male actors of inappropriate behaviour.Sex is a bit of a letdown
for the Bridgerton actors
Andrew EllsonAn emoji says: don’t take me seriously
iments. One involved 200 participants
split randomly into two groups. One
group was shown an invitation to a
party which spelt out in words that
shrimp and champagne would be
served. The other group saw an invita-
tion that conveyed the same message,
but with the words “champagne” and
“shrimp” replaced by emojis of a bottle
of sparkling wine and a prawn. The
sender of the first invite was perceived
as more powerful.
In another experiment, participants
had to choose one of two players to rep-
resent them in a game where being per-
ceived as powerful would be an advan-
tage. They only saw the players’ Zoom
profiles, one of which used words while
the other used a picture. Most of the
participants — 62 per cent — selected
the player whose profile used words.
Amit said: “Why do pictures signalthat a sender is low power? Research
shows that visual messages are often
interpreted as a signal for desire for
social proximity.
“ A separate body of research shows
that less powerful people desire social
proximity more than powerful people
do. Consequently, signalling that you’d
like social proximity by using pictures
is essentially signalling you’re less
powerful.”
She added: “Signalling is usually ir-
relevant in close relationships, as in
communications between family
members. However, in many arenas of
our lives, especially at work or in busi-
ness, power relations prevail, and we
should be aware of the impression our
messages make on their recipients.”
The research was published in the
journal Organizational Behavior and
Human Decision Processes.Rhys Blakely Science Correspondent
It may be the raciest period drama on
television, but filming Bridgerton’s inti-
mate scenes are more comic than erotic
thanks to an unlikely prop.
Jonathan Bailey, who plays the re-
gency heart-throb, Anthony Bridger-
ton in the Netflix drama, says that the
actors use a “half-inflated netball” dur-
ing the many sex scenes.
He told the Radio Times that the re-
sult was some “hilarious moments” for
those on set. The actor explained that
Bridgerton, which was watched by
82 million households worldwide last
year, employs an intimacy co-ordinator
to help the cast feel comfortable filming
potentially embarrassing and awkwardThe Queen has repeated her
commitment to a lifetime of service
amid concerns for her health after she
missed the Commonwealth Day event
for the first time in almost a decade.
In a written message released
yesterday to mark the occasion, the
monarch said it had given her “pleas-
ure” to renew in her Platinum Jubilee
year the promise she made in 1947, “that
my life will always be devoted in
service”.
Her comments echoed those made
last month on the eve of the 70th anni-
versary of her Accession Day.
The 95-year-old was represented by
the Prince of Wales at the annual ser-
vice held at Westminster Abbey. Palace
sources said she pulled out due to con-
cerns over her comfort amid mobility
difficulties, and not in relation to any
illness. It came as sources said that it
was unlikely that she would carry out
large-scale public investitures again.
Charles was joined by his wife, the
Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and
Duchess of Cambridge and Princess
Alexandra. The Duke and Duchess of
Gloucester did not attend after the
duke, 77, tested positive for Covid last
week.
The Commonwealth holds great per-
sonal significance for the Queen, who
was said to be disappointed not to
attend the annual service at the ab-
bey. She has not missed it since
2013, when she was unwell. Last
year’s event was cancelled because
of the Covid pandemic.
The Queen used her annual mes-
sage marking Commonwealth Day
to share her hopes that the “family of
nations” can “draw strength and in-
spiration from what we share” dur-
ing these “testing times”. It comes as
some countries continue to battle
against Covid and follows Russia’s in-
vasion of Ukraine.
The message, which emphasised
the importance of the Common-
wealth to the Queen, also said: “We
are nourished and sustained by our
relationships and, throughout my life,
I have enjoyed the privilege of hearing
what the relationships built across the
great reach and diversity of the Com-
monwealth have meant to people and
communities.
“Our family of nations continues to
be a point of connection, co-operation
and friendship.
Reflecting on the future, the Queen’s
message “on this special day for our
family” put forward hopes that “we can
deepen our resolve to support and
serve one another, and endeavour to
ensure the Commonwealth remains an
influential force for good in our world
for many generations to come”.
Charles, 73, took the Queen’s place
and was accompanied by Camilla, 74.
The couple warmly greeted William,
39, and the duchess, 40, who was wear-
ing a blue Catherine Walker dress.
The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle,
the Dean of Westminster, praised theQueen as the service began. He told the
congregation: “In this jubilee year, in
which we rejoice in the 70 years that
Her Majesty the Queen has presided
over this Commonwealth, we also
thank God for her faithfulness and
commit ourselves to learn from an ex-
ample of duty and service.”
Yesterday’s cancellation came asQueen rejoices in ‘Commonwealth family’
Charlotte Wace, Laurence Sleator
Work goes on
in background
Analysis
D
espite the recent
concerns about the
Queen’s health, her
words yesterday
emphasise that her
work and unwavering
commitment will continue
(Charlotte Wace writes).
It is understood that comfort
rather than illness led her to pull
out of yesterday’s
Commonwealth Day service,
with concerns over her mobility
thought to have been the cause.
But this came after the
cancellation of engagements last
month due to Covid, which in
turn followed a health scare in
October when she spent a night
in hospital and was advised to
undertake light duties.
She has also openly reflected
on her decreased mobility. In a
meeting with two defence chiefs
last month, while leaning on a
walking stick, she joked: “Well,
as you can see, I can’t move.”
But there does not appear to be
any alarm at Buckingham Palace
over her health, or suggestion of
major changes.
She will be 96 next month and
her duties also cover a big
workload behind the scenes. She
is required to plough through her
daily red box, deal with
correspondence and sign
statements. This work continued
when the Queen had Covid and
was experiencing “mild” cold-
like symptoms.
The work is on top of video and
face-to-face audiences, as well as
any private commitments and
other public engagements, such
as yesterday’s service at
Westminster Abbey.
Dr Mohammed Khaki, a
London GP, said that age-related
physical changes made coping
with events such as this “much
harder”, alongside any risks of
falling ill through exertion. But
the Queen appears to be in better
health than most people her age.
“I don’t know many 95-year-old
patients who are doing so many
things and meeting so many
people,” he said.iflSPLASH NEWS; DANIEL LEAL; CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES
The Duchess of
Cambridge and the
Duchess of Cornwall
were among those
in attendance at
Westminster Abbey