Princess Kate Achieves “Superhero Status” for Holding Her Own Alongside Prince William and Princess Anne in Podcast Appearance, Expert Says
It’s a revelation of “how far she has come as one of the key power players in the Firm.”
![Kate Middleton at the memorial service for Queen Elizabeth's one year anniversary](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x9Wu2Q49EumUm7fNvgXkYV-415-80.jpg)
It’s remarkable what can happen in even one year, let alone 12—and the difference in confidence between the Kate Middleton who walked down the aisle to marry Prince William at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011, and the Princess of Wales of today is staggering. Especially since becoming Princess of Wales on September 9 of last year, Kate has blossomed even more fully into herself, it seems—not just as a woman, but as a senior working royal.
Kate’s confidence is on full display nearly all the time at this point, but especially so during a podcast appearance alongside William and Princess Anne—the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, and long considered one of the most formidable members of the royal family. The three were in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle to record an episode of Mike Tindall’s podcast “The Good, the Bad & the Rugby” (Mike is married to Anne’s daughter, Zara); Kate, William, and Anne all have rugby connections, as Kate is patron of the Rugby Football Union, William is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, and Anne is patron of the Scottish Rugby Union. Tindall, for his part, is a well-known former rugby player.
In a room full of personalities, the formerly demure Kate held her own, body language expert Judi James said, and wasn’t afraid to jump in, even as others spoke. James, speaking to The Daily Express, said that Kate displayed “power signals” during the conversation—even calling Kate a “superhero” for when she interrupted Anne (who was quite pleased that she did so).
“Kate’s body language is a revelation though, in terms of exactly how far she has come as one of the key power players in the Firm,” James said. “She sits slightly away from Anne and William but, as they are invited to speak first, we can see her foot tapping gently but firmly in a metronomic gesture that suggests she’s keen to get her turn to talk. As she isn’t actually invited into the interview by the host, Kate is completely confident enough to power in by the act of interruption.”
James pointed to a moment where Kate spoke over William and suggested that this could be indicative as to the inner workings of their marriage: “The first interruption is when William is speaking, telling how he cried when Zara won the European Championship,” James said. “He does glance at Kate while he is talking but it doesn’t look like a tie-sign that would suggest he is inviting her to join in. Kate places one hand on the sofa between them to announce she’s going to talk over him, though, as she says, ‘I can remember when you came back…’ as her shoe-in to speak. William’s response is passive here, just some nods as he stops mid-story to listen.”
Of this, James said “This kind of verbal and non-verbal interruption will always signal confidence and from the way Kate does it and the way William responds, it also gives a hint of moments of power dominance from her, too.”
There is absolutely no way Kate would have done this even a few years ago, let alone what was about to happen next. “Kate’s next interruption gives her royal superhero status, though, because she turns her techniques on Anne, possibly the most formidable member of the royal family and one who does tend to enjoy status dominance in any group,” James said. “Anne begins her point with some strong verbal and non-verbal signals. Her head tilts back in raconteur mode and she starts with ‘It’s a very important part…’ but Kate jumps in regardless with utter confidence. As she interrupts Anne, she holds out a pointed finger to show she’s not backing down. She makes a very micro-pause to acknowledge to Anne that she realizes she’s interrupting but, in a fearless gesture, she then opens her palm while holding it out to show she’s not stopping and waggles it as she talks about ‘My childhood memory…’”
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.
But it’s Anne’s reaction to Kate that really shows Kate’s elevated position in the royal family, James said. “It’s a sign of how much she is held in high esteem now that Anne stops talking but is seen watching Kate with a facial expression of pride as though happy to be challenged and to see signs of firmness and confidence from the woman who will be the next Queen,” she said.
You can listen to the trio on the podcast here.
Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford Medal in Mother-Daughter Olympic Matching
The pair touched down in Paris wearing coordinating navy looks.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Prince Harry Reveals Royal Family Rift Was Worsened by Tabloids
"Yeah, that’s certainly a central piece to it."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Here's the Most 'Wicked' Twist on Olympics Opening Ceremony Style
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande heard "Paris" but not "Olympics."
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Prince George Looks So Grown Up in 11th Birthday Portrait Taken by Mom Kate
Also, he looks so much like his dad.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Pippa Middleton Matthews Has Been “An Angel and Backbone” for Princess Kate During This Difficult Season
Pippa—who accompanied Kate and Princess Charlotte to Wimbledon this week—has drawn comparisons to Princess Margaret and her support of the late Queen Elizabeth.
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 Appearances at Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon, We Can Expect Princess Kate to Return to Living “Below the Radar” for the Foreseeable Future
Prince William, for his part, “will be breathing a sigh of relief” as his own summer break begins.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
As She Continues Cancer Treatment, This Is What Is Giving Princess Kate “Sustenance” Right Now
“She has gone through something awful and stressful, and it is crucial to have little wins to look forward to.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Princess Kate Reveals the Latest Way Her Only Daughter Princess Charlotte Is Following In Her Footsteps
Like mother, like daughter indeed.
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