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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

Prince William's three telling signs that he doesn't enjoy PDA as much as Kate - expert

Like many royals before them, public displays of affection between the Prince and Princess of Wales are rare.

But in recent months, they've appeared much more tactile in public - and at a charity polo match they were spotted kissing. The married couple kissed each other's cheeks as Kate presented William with a trophy for taking part in the fundraiser - with the princess also giving her husband a cheeky arm squeeze.

But despite the PDA, a body language expert believes that one half of the pair is much more comfortable expressing their affection in public - while another seems to hold back.

William and Kate share a kiss as she presents him with his prize at the polo (PA)

According to expert Judi James, it is Kate who looks happier when carrying out a PDA - while William is more formal and "self-conscious about them".

She told MailOnline: "Kate looks so much more comfortable greeting her husband with an air kiss here but, despite approaching the ritual looking emotionally needy, hunching his shoulders, leaning forward and performing an embrace announcement gesture to register his delight, he keeps things more formal once he docks in."

However, Judi explained the reason why William might seem more reserved is down to the fact he is in the macho environment of the polo field - and that in general men are less comfortable with air kissing.

The couple go in for their kiss on the cheeks (PA)
Kate presented William with his polo prize (Getty Images for TGI Sport)

She explained: "There are three quite practical reasons for his reservations here, firstly the air kiss is a difficult ritual that often mystifies men, then there is the macho spirit of polo, where PDAs with wives are less common, and lastly he must be sadly aware of his father’s iconic but telling miss-kisses with his mother at similar events, putting pressure on him to get it right."

The polo match last Thursday took place at Guards Polo Club near Windsor, where William and Kate hoped to raise £1million in aid of 11 different charities close to their hearts. As they arrived at the club, the couple met with friends, including jockey Frankie Dettori and William's cousin Peter Phillips as well as representatives from the charities benefitting from the day.

At one point Kate could be seen proudly gazing at her husband and enjoying a glass of bubbles, before lending encouragement to the players. The princess opted for a £550 baby blue midi dress from designer Beulah and looked relaxed as she wore her long, dark hair around her shoulders and donned sunglasses.

Since William first participated in the cup in 2006, more than £11million has been raised for charity. The charities set benefitting were SHOUT, Wales Air Ambulance, Centrepoint, The Passage, Mountain Rescue England & Wales, Foundling Museum, Forward Trust, East Anglia Children’s Hospices, Baby Basics, Little Village and AberNecessities.

Previously, William took part in several charity polo matches with estranged brother Prince Harry, including one where Kate and Harry's wife Meghan Markle both appeared to cheer them on.

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