From the damning accusations against King Charles in Earl Spencer’s newly published book about Princess Diana to Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain, the Royal Firm have been living under a fresh cloud of controversy this month.
But true to form last night, William and Kate put the drama aside, stepping out as a united front on the red carpet for the premiere of Digger, starring Tom Cruise.
While the pair may have appeared to be ‘all smiles’ for the cameras, as a body language expert, here are all the subtle signs in the Wales’s behaviour you may have missed and what they reveal about how the couple are handling the fallout from this month’s drama.
On the surface the couple were radiant, with Kate in a stunning purple floor-length gown and William in a dapper velvet smoking jacket.
Kate has always approached public engagements with enthusiasm and grace – but she returned with a different energy in 2024 when she resumed royal duties after taking time away to receive cancer treatment.
Health problems are often known to put life, worries and problems into context as priorities become clear. The way Kate carried herself yesterday made it obvious that she’s found a way to put family rifts aside and place duty above all else. With her head held high, shoulders open and a wide, genuine smile on her face – Kate’s body language was a signal to the world that she’s ready to take it all in her stride.
William and Kate appeared to be ‘all smiles’ for the cameras, but body language expert Judi James reveals the subtle signs that show how the pair are dealing with this month’s drama
William clenched his fist during the outing, suggesting his hand placement may reveal that he’s carrying the weight of his family’s troubles
The Prince of Wales could also be seen putting his hand on his stomach, which is potentially a mechanism for self-soothing – albeit most likely used subconsciously
Kate is clearly back, not only as the matriarch and strength of the Royal Firm, but also its star. Indeed, her signals of resilience and stoicism look borrowed from the late Queen, who used the ‘smile and wave’ solution all her life.
Even Kate’s jewellery, a purple amethyst heart necklace which dates back to 1923, provided subtle signalling. Wearing the piece was a way for Kate to tell the world she’s open to family bonds and rebuilding a relationship with the Sussexes. The necklace and its matching earrings were last worn by Queen Camilla for the James Bond Skyfall premiere in 2012, so perhaps wearing it again was an ode to Kate’s unwavering support for the Firm.
The Princess of Wales exudes a strong confidence that William subtly struggles to mirror. A closer look at William’s hand placement as he walks out onto the carpet reveals that behind his best efforts to brandish a proud smile, it’s clear that he’s constantly carrying the weight of his family’s troubles.
For a start, on his descent down the stairs he subtly clenches his fists, a signal for emotional restraint and hidden tension. Then he puts his hand on his stomach – a mechanism for self-soothing, albeit most likely used subconsciously.
Poor William must be carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Who could blame him? William is juggling the strain on the monarchy that Earl Spencer’s book has caused, by lambasting the King’s handling of Diana’s death. And there’s the obvious burden of the book bringing up all the grief and sorrow William must feel for his mother, coupled with his ongoing rift with Harry.
Kate appeared to borrow her signals of resilience and stoicism from the late Queen, who used the ‘smile and wave’ solution all her life
The Princess of Wales wore a purple amethyst heart necklace and matching earrings which were last worn by Queen Camilla in 2012, perhaps showing Kate’s support for the Firm
Tom Cruise was seen helping Kate up the stairs as the pair chatted, suggesting their longstanding friendship is stronger than ever
Back in 2022 at the Top Gun: Maverick premiere, Cruise offered Kate his hand to assist her up the stairs – but she subsequently swapped her clutch to her left hand
Although subtle gestures give away the weight that William obviously carried, his beaming smile and a glowing Kate prove that the Waleses are committed to showing up for the public.
And what of Kate’s interaction with Tom Cruise? Readers may remember that rumours swirled in 2022 after it was alleged that Kate subtly swerved Cruise at the Top Gun: Maverick premiere. In true gentlemanly fashion, Cruise offered Kate his hand to assist her up the stairs in her long black ball gown. Once Cruise let go of her hand, Kate swapped her clutch into her left hand.
The subtle interaction raised questions about royal protocol – was Kate merely putting her clutch back into her left hand to keep it free to shake hands with people? Or was it a deliberate move to ensure that Cruise wouldn’t take her hand again?
Whatever Kate’s motives were in 2022, the interaction played out differently last night. Sharing a cheerful grin alongside the actor, it seems that Kate and Cruise’s longstanding friendship is stronger than ever.
Here, Kate starts with her clutch in her left hand. Cruise reaches to guide her and she places the clutch in her right, showing she’s secure in the fact that Cruise is operating from a place of old-fashioned gallantry.
Cruise reaches his hand out to touch Kate’s elbow in an ‘awareness’ ritual, offering to guide Kate down the stairs – but she is at first holding her clutch in her left hand
Once the Princess of Wales switched the bag to her right hand, she appeared to glance to her side to check out William’s reaction as she held Cruise’s hand
Kate mirrored Cruise last night as he smiled and waved to screaming fans, beaming to show how in awe he is of the moment
As the Waleses walk through the door together, William placed one hand on Kate’s back in a loving gesture that also seemed to say ‘you’re mine’
When she takes her flowing skirt in both hands as they descend some steps, Cruise reaches one hand out to touch her elbow in an ‘awareness’ ritual, showing a gentlemanly sense of protection with a very light touch.
Cruise’s wide grin of beaming delight at the crowd shows how in awe he is of the moment and Kate’s permission. It really is a moment of ‘Permission Impossible’ as this would not be a normal body language moment for our leading royals.
Kate even glances to her side to check out William but as he appears busy, she then mirrors Cruise’s excited smile and waves to the screaming fans.
William is possibly flattered to have his wife led in by a superstar, but there is still a small follow-up gesture as they walk through the door together. He places one hand on Kate’s back in a loving gesture that also seems to say: ‘You’re back and you’re mine!’
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