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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Rosaleen Fenton

Kate Middleton's reassuring gesture to Charlotte after she broke royal protocol

Prince George and Princess Charlotte's visit to Wales came as a special Jubilee surprise for royal fans - as it was their first official trip to Wales.

The royal children joined their parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Cardiff Castle today.

The couple and the two older children watched rehearsals and met some of the acts taking part in a concert at the castle for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee including Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler.

Speaking to FEMAIL, body language expert Judi James told how Kate stepped in after Charlotte skipped normal protocol by 'jumping in too quickly' ahead of her older brother and father.

She said: "Charlotte often refuses the offer of a hand clasp, showing a sense of confidence and independence, but she looked happy to comply here.

"When they meet and greet with the public though the hands are dropped and both William and Kate use small touches and tie-signs on their children to signal cues and timings.

"Kate was seen to nudge Charlotte to step forward to shake hands after she jumped in too quickly at first, moving up before her brother and father had done their greetings.

The Cambridges at Cardiff Castle (Samir Hussein/WireImage)

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"William placed both hands on George’s shoulders after he’d done his greeting to let him know he was still there behind him for steering and support.

Sadly Prince Louis, aged four, whose adorable appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony stole the show earlier this week, wasn't in attendance.

But for the two older children, Judi said Prince William and Kate worked hard to show their 'shy' children the ropes - and 'anchor' them during the public engagement.

Prince George, eight, and Charlotte, seven, appeared timid today, as they took in the new surroundings and were encouraged to shake hands with members of the public.

Charlotte only reached out to shake hands after some words of encouragement from her mother and clasped her mum's hand firmly during the outing.

Meanwhile, Prince George was keen to duck behind his father while posing for a photo, and similarly held on to Prince William's hand.

Speaking to FEMAIL, Judi James added: "Kate tends to use hair-stroking comfort gestures to help the children feel confident and praised by her, making this as comfortable an experience for them as possible."

George was pictured working the controls of a technical desk, while Charlotte grinned at her brother as she conducted musicians with her hands.

When the future king and his sister joined their parents on a walkabout, the seven-year-old princess collected bouquets of flowers – as did her eight-year-old brother.

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