Body Language Expert Claims Princess Kate Tried to "Ward Off Any Unwanted Attention" During One Awkward Moment With Sarah Ferguson

The Princess of Wales became the Royal Family's "protective huntress."

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Kate Middleton attends a funeral, Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew
(Image credit: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images/Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Recent allegations regarding Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew's connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have changed the former couple's status as royals. Now, a body language expert has reflected on an especially awkward moment Princess Kate appeared to mitigate at a public event also attended by Andrew and Ferguson.

On Sept. 16, 2025, the Royal Family attended the funeral of the Duchess of Kent, which took place at Westminster Cathedral. Body language expert Judi James spoke to the Daily Mail about Kate Middleton's actions at the funeral, including avoiding both Prince Andrew and Ferguson.

James called Princess Kate the Royal Family's "protective huntress," who successfully appeared to "ward off any unwanted attention" by "posing on behalf of her husband" at the funeral.

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King Charles III hugs the Princess of Wales as they leave after the Requiem Mass service for the Duchess of Kent, at Westminster Cathedral, central London. Picture date: Tuesday September 16, 2025. This is the first Catholic funeral service held for a member of the royal family in modern British history. Katharine, the wife of the late Queen's cousin the Duke of Kent, converted to Catholicism in 1994.

Princess Kate appeared to "ward off any unwanted attention."

(Image credit: Getty Images)

According to the body language expert, Princess Kate acted quickly in order to avoid interacting with Andrew and Ferguson at the event.

James explained, "Her peripheral vision sees at first to be aware and wary of Fergie who is moving around behind and beside her." James continued, "Her closed hand and her unsmiling expression signal no desire to engage or talk here, just keep the ex-royal in sight."

James also suggested that the Princess of Wales attempted to be a "protective shield" for husband William.

Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew wearing black outfits at the Duchess of Kent's funeral

Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew at the Duchess of Kent's funeral.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the Daily Beast reported that Prince William was seriously unhappy about being photographed next to Prince Andrew at the Duchess of Kent's funeral.

"The friend said William was 'furious' at being 'ambushed' by his uncle, as pictures and footage of a scowling William standing alongside Andrew and The King emerged," the outlet reported.

The source further alleged that "William has for years been at pains to avoid being photographed alongside Andrew," meaning he was very upset about being pictured with him on this particular occasion.

Amy Mackelden
Amy Mackelden
Weekend Editor

Amy Mackelden is the weekend editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.