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    Prince William and Princess Kate Aren't "Afraid to Get Their Hands Dirty" in Their Royal Work, Much Like Princess Diana

    "What comes through is authenticity."

    Kristin Contino's avatar
    By Kristin Contino
    Published 21 January 2026 In News

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    Princess Kate curling on ice; Princess Diana wearing a dress playing lawn bowling
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
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    Both Prince William and Princess Kate have shown their competitive sides during numerous royal events over the years, and on Tuesday, January 20, they got into the Winter Olympics spirit. The Prince and Princess of Wales took part in a curling lesson while visiting the Team GB and Paralympics GB curling teams in Stirling, Scotland—and body language expert Darren Stanton noted how their excited gestures showed the public how at the end of the day, they're "just like everyone else."

    Speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino, Stanton said that during William and Kate's day out in Stirling and Falkirk, "what comes through is authenticity." Whether it was chatting with locals at a village pub or taking part in the curling lesson, the body language expert said that "what you see is what you get" from the Prince and Princess of Wales, similar to William's late mother.

    Referencing Kate "celebrating a good shot in the curling, with her fist in the air," Stanton said that the gesture is "great to see because it reminds us that she’s human and shows how willing she is to really get involved."

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    Prince William kneeling playing curling on ice

    Prince William tried his hand at curling on January 20.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Princess Kate raising her arm in the air while curling

    Princess Kate celebrated during a curling lesson in Stirling, Scotland.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    "Yes, she’s the future Queen of England, but she’s also deeply connected and grounded, very much in the way Diana was," Stanton added. "I think that’s why people resonate so strongly with both Kate and William."

    "People see that they will one day be King and Queen, but they’re also just like everyone else," he added. "They’re not afraid to get stuck in, to get their hands dirty, or to be down on their hands and knees curling if that’s what the moment calls for."

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    The famously sporty couple looked in high spirits as they faced off in curling, and Stanton said, "There’s another great shot where she’s curling, and again, her expression is so open and engaged. Overall, these images really signify the depth of feeling she has for people and her continued desire to connect with them on a very human level— whether she’s meeting a member of the public or a celebrity."

    Princess Diana hugging a child in a group of kids at a school

    Princess Diana is seen hugging a child on a trip to Brazil in 1991.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Princess Kate and Prince William sitting with men at a pub

    Prince William and Princess Kate spoke with local residents at a pub in Stirling, Scotland.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    He added that "everyone is treated the same" by Kate, as evidenced in footage of the prince and princess speaking with residents and meeting a group of young children outside The Gothenburg, a community-run pub in the former mining village of Fallin.

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    "I want to help pubs," William said to the group while enjoying a pint. "This is the best place to come and get to know each other."

    Referring to pubs as "the heart of the community," the future King added, "I grew up in pubs. I absolutely love pubs."

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    Prince William Princess Catherine
    Kristin Contino
    Kristin Contino
    Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor

    Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

    Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

    Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.

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