KATE MIDDLETON looked ‘strong’ and is ‘confident’ with her recovery, as she stepped out this morning for the Christmas Day Church service in Sandringham.
Today, the Princess of Wales, 42, put on an elegant display in green for the annual festive occasion and according to a body language pro, she appeared ‘upbeat’ in her recovery.
This morning, we saw the royals step out for the yearly Sandringham walk, as they headed to St Mary Magdalene Church on the Norfolk Estate.
The mum-of-three, who walked alongside her husband Prince William and children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six – re-wore one of her favourite green Alexander McQueen coats.
Also in attendance at the royal walk today were King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, who wore a similar dark green coat to Princess Kate.
We spoke to body language expert Judi James, to get her thoughts on the royal Christmas Day appearance.
Not only did Judi recognise that Kate appeared ‘upbeat’ and ‘confident’ with her recovery, but she also noticed that Prince George, 11, may be ready to take on more royal duties.
As well as this, she also spotted the Princess’ new wing-woman – and she’s only six.
Judi James told Fabulous: “Kate’s outfit looked significant in terms of her recovery, not because of the earthy country green shade, which toned with the other top tier royals, creating a message of unity and team bonding, but because of her hat, which was a small green beret/fascinator.
“Kate arrived at church walking crowd-side and had she worn a wide-brimmed hat as she has in the past, there would have been an option of partly hiding her face if she felt vulnerable.
“A smaller hat like hers tends to signal strength and a more confident, upbeat approach, and that was reflected in her beaming smile as she passed the fans.
“On arrival Kate clutched Louis‘s hand in a very confidently ‘lead’ gesture with her hand placed firmly on top, while William walked with George and Charlotte.”
Judi also spotted “the emphatic return of Kate’s dimpled smile”, as she added: “Which is always one step up from the pitch-perfect royal smile she does so well.”
Judi continued: “That dimpling suggests authentic joy and good humour and as William looked across and saw it, his own smile seemed to widen, to match those of their very Christmas Day-excited children.
“When the group fell into a line Kate’s glance to her left at her family prompted a smile of total pride.”
A smaller hat like hers tends to signal strength and a more confident, upbeat approach
Judi James
Judi recognised a clear message in young George’s body language, as she claimed: “George seems to be happily taking over some of the lead duties from his dad.
“Looking quite solemnly focused he stepped ahead as they reached the spot for the greeting rituals with the clergy, waiting for his turn with an air of expectancy rather than the rather shy look he used to project.”
KATE'S key rule for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis is about kindness.
According to HELLO! Online’s Royal Correspondent: “Based on observations of photographs of Princess Diana at the time, and the current Princess of Wales, they are both very affectionate with their children.
“Kate is often seen holding her children’s hands or picking them up for cuddles when they were smaller.
“There are often lots of comforting gestures, such as a pat on the back or stroking their hair. When interacting with other children on her public engagements, Kate often crouches down to their level to engage with them – something that Diana would often do.”
When she’s at the family’s home of Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, despite her royal status, insiders say Kate is just like any other “normal mum”.
A friend explained that behind closed doors, the 42-year-old is “very chilled at home” but definitely not a pushover and will tell the kids off when needed.
They told PEOPLE: “It’s a normal, busy family home with kids running around and knocking things over. There’s no airs and graces.
“She is doing that to help her children be more grounded and keep their reality in check. That’s what really matters to her.”
As the royals left the church, Judi recognised: “There was a shadow of what looked like tiredness on Kate’s face as she walked out of the church, although that look evaporated to be replaced with a wide smile when she glanced across at William and met his gaze.
“She also had an unexpected wing-woman to help with that smile, too.”
Judi recognised that Kate has a new wing-woman by her side, Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall‘s second child, Lena, six.
According to the Royal Family website, Miss Lena Tindall, who is the great-niece of the monarch, is 23rd in line for the throne.
Judi continued: “Mike Tindall has always been the guy on hand to lift any tension and make the royals laugh and today his daughter Lena showed she’s inherited that same talent in her DNA.
“As the Wales’s stepped out for their meet with the crowd Lena was seen bobbing about, waiting for a gap to get in and cheer her friends up.
She also had an unexpected wing-woman to help with that smile
Judi James
“First she pulled alongside Charlotte, grinning at her and making her smile but then she targeted Kate herself, standing beside her and leaning her head back to flash the biggest, cheesiest grin to make Kate laugh, too.
“It was very much Kate’s crowd, with a more tactile display of affection from both the fans and Kate herself.
“There were full body hugs and even some clinging or lingering rituals from both the fans and Kate during what looked like some personal and very meaningful conversations.”
Despite Kate joining the rest of the royals for the iconic Sandringham church walk today, we haven’t seen much of the Princess of Wales this year as a result of her undergoing chemotherapy,
Kate revealed her diagnosis, which she said came as a “huge shock”, back in March.
She said she initially had no signs of cancer but post-op tests showed the disease had been “present”.
I think hopefully Catherine will be doing a bit more next year, so, we’ll have some more trips maybe lined up
Prince William
A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed she started a course of preventative chemotherapy in late February.
After taking time away from royal duties, in September, Kate confirmed she had finished chemotherapy and was focusing on being ‘cancer free‘.
She said she was “looking forward” to being back at work and taking on a few more public engagements in the coming months.
William revealed Kate aims to step up her royal engagements in 2025.
He said: “I think hopefully Catherine will be doing a bit more next year, so, we’ll have some more trips maybe lined up.”
