The Princess of Wales' smart and practical gesture towards Queen Consort Camilla in the days after the Queen's death showed her "self-assured" confidence, a body language expert has claimed.
Kate only became a member of the Firm 11 years ago upon her marriage to Prince William and has had to learn how to navigate royal life. But in recent years, her confidence in her role has appeared to have grown and she has been very visible following the Queen's death. As well as attending her funeral, Kate has been at several processions and a state reception where she rubbed shoulders with world leaders and heads of state.
She also appeared at a reception for Commonwealth leaders at Buckingham Palace just days before Her Majesty's funeral.
And according to body language expert Judi James, it was at this event that her confidence really shone through.
Judi told the Mirror: "You only need to compare Kate's body language during her first official function after her marriage with the Kate we saw hosting a function after the Queen's death to see exactly how much she has grown in confidence and stature.
"The iconic pose with Michelle Obama back in 2011 showed her using her hands and a bag as a barrier while also leaning back and touching her hair shyly.
"Now we have a woman looking regal and self-assured and hosting dignitaries with utter confidence.
"She uses confident bouts of engaged eye contact and if she does touch her hair, as she did when talking with Camilla at the formal reception, it was a very smart and practical gesture to ensure the camera can capture the moment.
"She was so elegant and assured with the crowds at Windsor and she handled the actual funeral with the same quiet dignity."
Meanwhile, it was during a walkabout at Windsor that Kate and William joined together with his estranged brother Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle.
The group viewed floral tributes left at Windsor Castle for the Queen and also met with wellwishers.
Much has been made over the sisters-in-law's relationship after reports that Meghan made Kate cry in the run-up to her wedding in 2018.
But in her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, Kate was publicly singled out by Meghan for allegedly making her cry.
And Judi added: "Even the meetings with Harry and Meghan were handled in a more assured way that suggests the ability to take control when necessary.
"She was polite with them but there were none of the over-smiling ‘friendship’ rituals that she has seemed pressured into in the past."
