The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge gave ‘very authentic glimpses into their relationship to boost morale’ during their whistle-stop royal train tour of the UK, a body language expert has claimed.
Speaking to FEMAIL, Judi James suggested the ‘gentle touches of affection’ and the ‘looks of love’ shared between Prince William and Kate, both 38, during their engagements around the country showcased a sense of ‘warmth and fun’.
The royal couple embarked on a 48-hour journey across Britain on the royal train on Sunday, visiting cities including Edinburgh, Manchester and Cardiff, to pay tribute in person to people that went above and beyond in response to the Covid-19 crisis.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge gave ‘very authentic glimpses into their relationship to boost morale’ during their whistle-stop royal train tour of the UK, a body language expert has claimed. Pictured, the couple in Bath
Judi commented: ‘There has been a relaxing of the body language rituals of William and Kate recently and it does appear to date back from Megxit, after which the remaining top-tier royals suddenly put in an effort to appear actively cheerful and upbeat and, in the case of the Cambridge’s, much more openly affectionate during their public appearances.
‘It has appeared to allow William and Kate to relax a little more in public and to show some very authentic-looking glimpses of their relationship, rather than forcing them to put on a fake performance for the cameras.’
Here, author and expert Judi analyses three moments captured between the couple during their tour.
THE COUPLE’S GENTLE TOUCHES
Prince William and Kate were photographed supportively placing their hands on each other’s backs as they made their way around the UK yesterday. Pictured, the couple in Euston station (right) and then Bath (left)
Prince William and Kate were photographed supportively placing their hands on each other’s backs as they made their way around the UK yesterday.
As Judi noted: ‘William has used a hand on his wife’s back as a gentle steering gesture in the past but yesterday he placed one splayed hand onto the back of Kate’s waist while they were just standing chatting to a member of the public, meaning it was a spontaneous touch of affection rather than a tie-sign to carry on walking.’
Reflecting on the couple’s previous body language, she added: ‘Their previous staunch aversion to PDAs was possibly prompted by William’s determination to avoid the same soap opera fate that affected his own parents.
‘He and Kate specialized in bland body language for years, with little more than their intense subliminal mirroring to hint at the strength of their feelings, but they do seem to have realized now that they can relax more without losing control of their privacy.’
A SHARED SENSE OF FUN
Yesterday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stepped out for their first engagement at Cardiff Castle, with the couple sharing a tender moment as they visited a Toast Your Own Marshmallow stall (pictured)
Yesterday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stepped out for their first engagement at Cardiff Castle, with the couple sharing a tender moment as they visited a Toast Your Own Marshmallow stall.
Judi explained: ‘Timing this tour close to Christmas, William and Kate appear even more determined to project the Christmas spirit, boosting morale around the country not just via their regal presence but in the way that our relatives and friends used to boost morale when they were able to visit us at Christmas, by projecting a sense of warmth and fun that is visual between them as a couple as well as the warmth they will be projecting to the people they meet.
‘Their emphatic signals of affection yesterday were also a much needed booster for everyone whose relationships have been fraying around the edges during lock-down.’
She added: ‘I think their work during the pandemic, with their ability to project warmth and support during video appearances, plus both William and Kate’s surprising levels of talent as presenters talking straight to camera (his documentary of mental health in sport and her recent campaign launches on social media), must have added to their confidence when it comes to being more emotionally revealing. ‘
THE CLASSIC ‘LOOK OF LOVE’
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were photographed (above) when in Euston station in London and shared a ‘look of love’ during their engagement, according to the body language expert
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were photographed when in Euston station in London and shared a ‘look of love’ during their engagement, according to the body language expert.
Judi said: ‘By far the most intense ritual was they eye contact they exchanged when they were at the station.
‘When a couple are play-acting affection they will often avoid eye contact as any change or hardening of their eye expression will give away their true feelings about one another.
‘Kate, though, looked happy to raise her chin and tilt her head close to William’s in a gesture of trust, while throwing the kind of softened, crinkled eye-expression that could only be described as looking besotted.
‘William’s response was a matching softening of the muscles around the eye that made him look both flattered and slightly bashful. Even in their masks we could see a strong emotional connection from their eyes alone.’