What Prince William's body language reveals about his current state of mind
A body language expert has revealed there may have been an underlying shift outsiders are not aware of that has given the Duke of Cambridge a newfound “confidence”.
Despite the blow after blow the royals have faced, from Prince Andrew’s alleged sex escapades to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announcing their intention to step down as “senior royals”, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appeared strong and confident when greeting warm crows during a royal engagement.
However there was one moment body language expert Judi James found particularly interesting, which was when Prince William presented his wife, Duchess Kate, with a single white rose.
James told MailOnline that the “unusually romantic PDA” is a clear sign the couple enjoy meeting with crowds while fulfilling their royal duties.
The couple were filmed walking out of Bradford City Hall before greeting crowds.
After dividing their time up with the friendly royal fans and mingling is when the Duke tenderly handed his wife a single flower.
Their appearance in the northern city comes as the couple finally got back to royal business amid the turmoil caused by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s announcement.
“So there could have been a sense of trepidation as William and Kate appeared together in public after Harry and Meghan announced their move to Canada,” James said, after mentioning the country could take sides against either the Cambridge’s or the Sussex’s
'The rock star reception with crowds screaming approval do have a visible effect on both William and Kate here, though, with their expression turning from mildly anxious to grins of utter delight as they greet the fans.
“Kate performs some active mirroring with the children in the crowd, offering sweet 'baby Waves' before bending to their height to engage them in close up and quite lengthy conversations.”
While the Duchess usually is a fan favourite among the crowds, James said it was actually William who was a “revelation” during their royal visit.
“Whether it's relief or delight or both his often-shy smile broadens as the crowds show their love and with his signature frown gone you can see his upper cheeks rounded in what's called an 'Apple' effect that is always a sign of genuine pleasure.
“He engages with the crowds using humour and emphatic gesticulation and there is every suggestion that his confidence is back.
“Show-boating to the crowd he even hands his wife a rose in an unusually romantic PDA and it's clear from Kate's dimpled smile that she's enjoying the gesture too”.
The body language expert added that the pair were much more expressive than usual but appeared to come across a little more tactile.
“Even fun body language didn't seem to be down to the 'Meghan' factor of more tactile displays, it seemed based more on feelings of relief and delight at the tide of affection that greeted them.
“It made William drop his guard a little and flirt with his wife while both he and Kate appeared to get much closer with and have more prolonged chats with what were very obviously their fans.
“The pressure levels on these two must have been high over the past few weeks and bullying comments must have made them worry about negative public opinion after years of hard work to get it 'right' so it's not surprising that this upbeat reception made both William and Kate happy to be a bit more emotionally revealing than normal.”
During the couple’s visit, they first stopped off at a community project that aims to strengthen bonds between grandparents and grandchildren in the West Yorkshire city.
It was then after meeting warm and friendly crowds in Bradford's Centenary Square, the Duke and Duchess spent time at the British Asian restaurant chain MyLahore where Duchess Kate giggled as she made and drank a Kulfi milkshake.
Her husband knocked up a mango lassi, which he called “delicious”.
The couple’s engagement comes in the midst of alleged tension in the royal family as the Duke and Duchess recently announced they intend to step down from their royal duties.
Scroll through the gallery to see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s outing.