Kate and Will’s strong bond clear as they share ‘touches and glances’ at Christmas carol concert, body language pro says

PRINCESS Kate arrived at Westminster Abbey to film her carol concert, Together at Christmas, this evening.

And while her appearance was highly anticipated by many, The Princess of Wales‘ appearance showed her strong bond with Prince William after the couple’s tough year, according to body language expert Judi James.

Kate is set to kick off the star-studded Christmas celebrations tonight in her most poignant carol service yet after her cancer diagnosis.

According to the body language pro, Kate’s choice of outfit for the event “sends out signals of strong emotions like love, passion and a desire to challenge and fight.”

“Her coat dress might have a slightly military theme but the large bow at the neck and the equally large pearl drop earrings add a more upbeat, signature look that reflects not just the theme but the guests at this service, which is primarily children,” Judi explained.

“Walking tall in the leadership role she takes during this very personal Christmas tradition, she carries her hands in a very modest-looking fingertip-touch gesture but raises her right hand in a low and unassuming wave at the fans,” she added.

Not only that, but Kate’s smile might hint at a new relationship with royal fans, the body language pro explained.

“After her tough year her smile is an ‘acknowledgment’ greeting rather than the less personal royal smile,” she said.

“As her eyes dart to the side she performs a friendship ritual that seems to suggest her recent illness might have created a closer, warmer and empathetic relationship with her royal fans.”

As she greeted some of the performers for the concert, including Olivia Dean, Paloma Faith and Gregory Porter, Kate’s “emotional richness” showed, which may suggest “her illness might have increased her already strong trait of empathy,” Judi examined.

Kate’s smile “reflects the Christmas mood” as she greeted the performers, Judi explained, “but as she switches into listening mode her eyebrows raise and steeple slightly in the middle to create furrows in her brow and her eye expression turns to one of sympathy as she retains a smile but switches it to one more associated with caring and concern,” she continued.

Kate has written to all 1,600 guests about how this year’s theme of love and empathy is about “how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives”.

It is expected to be a particularly moving service for her personally given the Princess’ tough year, which included her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy.

The Sun revealed last month that children who survived the Southport tragedy in July will be attending too.

Prince William, as well as Princes George, Louis and Princess Charlotte also joined Kate at the event, which is set be broadcast on Christmas Eve.

William, George, Charlotte and Louis arrived to the event just after Kate, and the three children looked “more grown-up, responsible and more solemn,” as they entered Westminster Abbey, Judi said.

The moving sentiment on the programme for this service is the quote: ‘You were by my side, which was everything’ and that seems to have been echoed in William, George, Charlotte and Louis’s body language as they arrived to join Kate this year.

“Louis showed some signs of his usual playfulness but overall they looked sensible and protective,” she continued.

Meanwhile, William and Kate’s bond was clear as they “offered some steering touches and glances,” the pro noted.

“At one point William and George stood together inside the Abby and showed their usual capacity for mirrored body language.

“This time though, with their legs splayed and their hands clasped in front of their torsos they looked rather like Kate’s security team, with a touch of the Quentin Tarantino about their styling,” she pointed out.

George may also be more of his Father’s “mini-me” than ever before, Judi revealed.

“Both sat with their knees splayed in a gesture of confidence in identical poses, showing like-minded thinking and reminding us how William’s role as George’s hero and mentor is still as strong as ever,” she said.

The pair also mirrored each other many time throughout the conert, she noted.

“They give the appearance of being protective co-conspirators as Kate recovers from her illness. William greeted his wife with a touch on the arm and Kate’s re-bonding group gesture was to put a loving hand on George’s back,” Judi added.