Kate Middleton and Prince William's Body Language Avoids the "Soap Opera Narrative," Expert Says
Unlike Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
![london, england october 17 in this exclusive image released on october 20, 2021 prince william, duke of cambridge and catherine, duchess of cambridge are seen together backstage during the inaugural earthshot prize awards 2021 at alexandra palace on october 17, 2021 in london, england photo by chris jacksongetty images for earthshot](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BvBcKAPNLc3frprRXhe8A5-415-80.jpg)
Everything royals do and say in public has to be measured—including their body language. This is a fact Prince William and Kate Middleton know all too well, and they have been very careful with how they hold themselves during official events over the years.
For body language expert Judi James, their slow and steady strategy was a clever one. "Kate and William's body language in public has been on rather slow simmer since their marriage, but recently there does seem to have been a subtle peak in their signals of power and confidence, both as a couple and as individuals," James tells Express.
expand
Unlike Prince Charles and Princess Diana before them, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle more recently, the Cambridges haven't shown any signs of drama for the media to pick apart and use against them. "Kate was never thrown free-fall into the spotlight by a rather cautious William and for years their body language has epitomised ‘good bland,' i.e. perfect enough to make them ideal ambassadors for the Firm, but not dramatic or telling enough to provide the kind of soap opera narrative that Charles and Diana provided, and which sparked the feeding frenzy that was claimed by Harry and Meghan to have become unbearable," James added.
expand
For the expert, the couple's demeanor has evolved recently. "Their caution does appear to have paid off and this seems to be reflected in a much more relaxed and even more tactile attitude in public," she said. "They also seem to have lost some of the tension caused by the Oprah interview that spurred William to break the habit of a lifetime and reply to a press question about racism during a royal visit. Now those signs of tension appear to have evaporated as they truly have emerged as a successful and impressive royal power couple."
expand
James also emphasized that the duke and duchess are both forces in their own right, whether they're together or apart. "Like any good team they function as well individually as they do together, and there are no signs of any resentment or battles for attention when one or the other is taking a key role," she said.
[editoriallinks id='aeab9a68-00be-467e-a660-fd294e1cb490' align='center'][/editoriallinks]
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
RELATED STORIES
Kate and Will Made Emma Watson Crack Up
Kate and Will Share Intimate Moments in New Photos
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Zendaya Delivers a Podium-Worthy Pre-Olympics Gown
She's shining brighter than the City of Lights.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
'Love Island USA' Star Kenny Rodriguez Is Not "Playing Around" with His and JaNa Craig's Romance Outside of the Villa
The prince and princess of season 6 have remained the cutest couple since filming wrapped.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
So Many Celebrity Beauty Favorites Are in Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale
Shop Jennifer Lopez, Meghan Markle, and Kaia Gerber's beloved picks.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Princess Charlotte, Prince George, and King Charles Have the Cutest Matching Friendship Bracelets
And fans think Charlotte was responsible.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince George Is Intentionally Being Raised Much Differently Than His Father Prince William Was, Even Though Both Are Heir to the Throne
“William still has painful memories of his own childhood and how he hated the persistent attention.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
In Naming Princess Charlotte, Prince William Poignantly Fulfilled a Long Ago Promise to His Late Mother, Princess Diana
Diana would be “over the moon” about it, her friend says.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Attending Sporting Events with Their Kids Is a “Much Needed Distraction” from Kate’s Ongoing Cancer Battle, Royal Biographer Says
“To say sports play a huge part in the lives of the royals is a massive understatement.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
After Meeting a Teenage Prince William for the First Time, Then Camilla Parker-Bowles Quipped “I Need a Gin and Tonic,” Royal Author Writes
Still largely known as “the other woman,” Camilla was “decidedly anxious” about meeting the future king.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William Was Reportedly Advised to Sign a Prenup When He Married Kate Middleton 13 Years Ago—But He Refused
Thirteen years later, the Prince and Princess of Wales’ marriage seems stronger than ever.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Apparently Made a Joint Decision Regarding Prince Harry As They Are “Very Consciously Focusing on Positivity and Recovery”
Though Kate’s health is improving, in her own words, she’s “not out of the woods.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Princess Kate Is “Genuinely Touched” by Everything Prince William Has Done During Her Health Scare This Year, “Not Just for Her, But for the Children”
“Their vows have never been more profound as they navigate this difficult time.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published