PRINCESS Kate is a perfect “Queen-in-Waiting” as she made a triumphant return to royal duties supported by “maternal” Sophie Wessex, an expert has claimed.
The Princess of Wales watched from a Government building balcony overlooking the Cenotaph in a rare public appearance this weekend to attend events marking Armistice Day.
In 2023 Kate stood next to the Queen but in Camilla’s absence this year due to a chest infection the princess was accompanied by the Duchess of Edinburgh.
And body language expert Judi James told The Sun that Camilla‘s illness placed Kate, 42, firmly in the spotlight.
She said: “This appearance by Kate could hardly be more meaningful.
“Not only was there her return to royal life following her recent illness, but Camilla’s ill health placed her firmly in the spotlight as the senior royal on the Whitehall balcony, standing where the late Queen would have once stood, flanked by Camilla, Sophie and Kate, or previously Diana.
On a sombre Remembrance Sunday…
“It looks important that Kate stood completely in the centre of the balcony like a true Queen in waiting with no wide-brimmed hat to hide her face.
“Standing with Camilla the year before the centre spot was left empty and the two women stood to either side.”
The pair emerged just before 11am to join the nation in commemorating those who have died or suffered in war and conflict.
Judi continued: “Kate made no attempt to share the space with Sophie here though, it looked fully accepted that hers was the senior place.
“Her return to royal duties has always been described as gradual rather than linear but this ‘In the place of the Queen’ positioning looked like a total acceptance of her present and future role rather than any ‘toe-dipping’ exercise.
“Her confidence levels looked important, too.
“She was first seen chatting and smiling with Sophie in a more relaxed-looking pose than we usually see at this event.
“Kate smiled a ‘pinging’ smile at Sophie who responded with a faint smile of her own.
“It seemed to be Kate leading the chatting while Sophie responded which was another subtle signal of ‘leading’ that would emphasise Kate’s ‘top spot’.
“The two women adopted more sombre facial expression as Big Ben chimed eleven and Kate dipped her head slightly.
QUEEN Camilla will not be at today’s Remembrance commemorations as she continues to struggle with a chest infection.
But Camilla’s equerry Major Ollie Plunkett will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph on her behalf.
The 95-poppy wreath closely resembles one made for the Queen Mother, who died in 2002.
It has a ribbon in the colours of Camilla’s racing silk – brown, red and yellow.
Here are some of the other wreaths which the royals will lay at the Cenotaph today:
King Charles
Charles’s wreath is modelled one made for his grandfather, King George VI.
It has 41 poppies mounted on black leaves, with ribbons and a bow from Charles’s racing silk – scarlet, purple and gold.
The King is Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and previously served in the Royal Navy.
He will wear his Admiral of the Fleet uniform with a greatcoat, poppy and sword.
Prince William
William will wear his RAF Wing Commander uniform with a greatcoat, poppy and sword.
He will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph while Princess Kate looks on from the Foreign Office balcony.
William served in the Armed Forces full-time for seven and a half years, before leaving in 2013.
Prince Edward
The Duke of Edinburgh will wear his Royal Wessex Yeomanry uniform as he lays a wreath.
He holds 10 military appointments and recently visited the Royal Dragoon Guards before they deployed to Estonia.
His wife Princess Sophie will watch the service with Princess Kate from the Foreign Office balcony.
Princess Anne
Anne holds the rank of Admiral in the Royal Navy, General in the Army and Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Air Force.
She also serves as Patron of the Women’s Royal Naval Service, known as the Wrens.
Her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence will join Kate and Sophie on the Foreign Office balcony.
“That gesture was mirrored by William as he emerged for the wreath-laying.”
Kate joined King Charles and the Prince of Wales in the heart of Whitehall.
Judi commented: “His recent trait of being more open about his emotions also showed in the way he performed a mouth- clamp and in the very sad expression in his eyes.
“As William stepped to place his wreath there was a very faint movement from Kate’s mouth to suggest a fond smile as she watched him.”
Sophie, 59, described as ‘Kate’s rock’, placed a hand on her back as they left the balcony.
Judi pointed out: “Once Kate had walked away from the spotlight and was stepping back inside Whitehall, it is touching to see her being rewarded with a small, maternal-looking ‘pat’ on the back from Sophie.
“This is a similar gesture to the affectionate back-touches William was using the night before.
“Kate is looking confident and even dazzling but it’s clear she has a small team of closest royals like William and Sophie quietly looking after her too and offering affectionate, caring touches like these to either reassure or reward her as she returns to royal life.
“A gesture like this won’t only reassure Kate, though.
“It might primarily be to reassure an often anxious-looking William that the firm are there looking after his wife when he’s not there immediately at her side.”
It is the first time since the start of the year that Kate, who is recovering from cancer, is carrying out two consecutive days of public official engagements.
She attended the Royal British Legion Festival Of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening.
