On Solo NYC Visit, Prince William Showed a \201cDeeper Confidence\201d—and Proof That He’s a New Type of Royal
An expert said he appeared \201cin awe of the U.S.\201d while stateside.


Prince William spent Monday and Tuesday in New York City, attending the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit at the Plaza Hotel (where the finalists for the Earthshot Prize Awards were announced), visiting a FDNY firehouse, and even going on a morning run in Central Park. He undertook the visit solo; Princess Catherine stayed behind in the U.K. with their three kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Now 41 and first in line to the throne, the Prince of Wales showed a “deeper confidence” and a more “accessible” and “modern approach” on this trip, body language expert Judi James told The Mirror.
“William is probably the first royal heir to have the skill of natural leadership and power rituals thanks to his height, his build, and his rather military bearing,” she said. “[This] will be a huge advantage to him as he will be able to take a more modern approach by toning down the usual regal power and superior status signals like space, distance, and a more remote, ‘regal’ presence and be more accessible and, like here, bashful without compromising his charisma.”
William’s more reserved body language has helped communicate that he doesn’t want “to be treated differently” or bring his status into the conversation, James said. “Since he avoids splaying his chest or legs, he’s able to give that more modestly,” The Mirror reports; additionally, he communicated through a smile, which made him look “youthful,” she said, and his eyes showed that he was “excited and happy to be there.”
James said she believes William was “in awe of the U.S. and the people he [was] meeting”—or at least that’s how it appeared. Though his “core brand” is still that of a royal, his mother, Princess Diana, left a mark on her son, making him able to avoid “looking distant or haughty.”
“There is a deeper confidence, though, in the way he keeps the clasp close to his own torso and picks out the camera with his eyes,” James said.
On this visit, William appeared much humbler by avoiding the “alpha” and “dominating” style, she said—and all of these interactions pave the way for what we can expect from William when he is one day king.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

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.
-
Beyoncé Battles Her Gatekeepers on the 'Cowboy Carter' Tour
And proves the best use of her power is looking beyond them.
-
'Tastefully Yours' Is a Foodie Rom-Com and Its Main Ingredient Is an A-List Cast of K-Drama Stars
Here's what to know about actors from 'Squid Game,' 'Sweet Home,' and 'Weak Hero Class 2' who lead the ensemble.
-
My New Favorite Sunscreen Oil Is 20 Percent Off—And Limited-Edition
Grab this Supergoop! steal while you can.
-
How Prince William Silenced "Work-Shy" Criticisms and Fixed His "Reputation" as the Future King
"The job that William does not want, at least for now, is his father's."
-
James Middleton Details "Unconditional" Support His Family Offered Princess Kate During Cancer Treatment
"That's the simplest way of really demonstrating love."
-
Prince William and Kate Middleton Just Gave Prince George What Could Be His "Only Opportunity" for Important Kingship Lesson
The 11-year-old took a big step toward understanding his future duties.
-
Prince William and Kate Middleton Share a Rare Romantic Moment in Surprise Video From Anniversary Trip
Princess Kate shared her "sanctuary" in a deeply personal new film.
-
Royal Expert Says Princess Diana Would Be "Proud" of Prince Harry's Candid BBC Interview
"She liked to say exactly what she thought and then deal with the consequences afterwards."
-
A Surprising Royal Is Attending Pope Leo XIV's Inauguration Later This Month
Buckingham Palace shared the unexpected news in a statement.
-
Prince William and Princess Kate’s Parenting Decisions With Louis and Charlotte are "Absolutely Critical" to the Crown
The Prince of Wales aims to make "the whole royal existence approachable and not scary for all his children."
-
Prince George Gets a Taste of His Future as King During Rare Solo Outing With Parents Prince William and Kate Middleton
The 11-year-old joined his family and the British prime minister at a tea party honoring WWII veterans.