The Princess of Wales showed an “impressive firmness” with Prince George and Princess Charlotte at Wimbledon – and showed her key role in preparing them for royal life, a body language expert has claimed.
Kate and Prince William took their two oldest children to Wimbledon for the men’s final, where they were treated to seeing Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic in a five-set thriller from the Royal Box. The youngsters were spotted punching the air when the Spaniard won and looked delighted with his victory.
But before they settled down for the match, they had royal duties to complete first and met a host of players, officials and even ball boys and girls who lined up to greet them on the Player’s Lawn. Kate introduced her children to those assembled, explaining who they were and what they did.
And according to body language expert Judi James, Kate was very much the leader of the family – and it suggested how she’s playing a huge role in preparing George, who is 10 on Saturday, and eight-year-old Charlotte for a life of royal duties.
She told the Mirror: “Kate showed herself to be the true Queen of Wimbledon this year, stepping up into her very high profile regal leadership and hosting role with body language displays of confidence and a genuine passion for the game.
“She was very much the leader of her small family group too, hosting and coaching Charlotte and George while William stepped back to gaze on proudly using body language like a ‘fig leaf’ hand clasp barrier in front of the torso that made him look a little like an over-awed child himself.
“It looked like ‘bring your children to work’ day for Kate, who hosted with an impressive firmness, introducing Charlotte and George by name to the players and staff she was meeting and indulging in some lengthy explanations and instructions to her son and daughter that suggested she is now taking a huge role in preparing them for royal life.
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“Her constant pointing and explanations seemed to work in terms of motivation. Both children appeared to be as enthusiastic about the match as Kate herself was by the time the final was underway and their mirroring of her body language rituals showed a synchronisation that was proof of her power and her leadership role at that location.”
Meanwhile, Judi also noted that as the match got underway, both children copied their parents, with George following dad William and Charlotte appearing to be more like her mum.
Judi explained: “George’s body language as he watched the match was almost identical to the rituals he uses when watching football with his dad. His air punches were a rather macho sign of victory that he has copied from William, but his face-covering gesture with both hands looked identical to a gesture his mother used, showing like-minded enthusiasm.
“It was Charlotte who was the revelation here, though. While her big brother restricted himself to spontaneous but more subtle signs of encouragement and celebration, Charlotte was in full battle-cry mode, throwing her arms up into the air with her mouth wide open in a roar of enthusiasm.
“Charlotte also copied Kate’s hands over the face cut-off gesture when the tension got too much, although unlike her brother she couldn’t resist still peeking at the court. Charlotte and Kate make a very compelling double act with high levels of subliminal mirroring.
“Their heads leant together in a non-verbal sign of synchronicity and as they watched the match they moved or sat in similar positions.
And then there was the very sweet moment of affection between mother and daughter. As Charlotte looked at her mother Kate placed her fingers under her chin to tilt her head up gently, which was an affectionate gesture to show Charlotte had her full attention and support.”
English