Body language expert Darron Stanton believes Prince William’s broad smile and active listening echo his late mother’s warmth.

Prince William during his visit to the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment in Bulford; (Inset) Princess Diana during an event in Hong Kong. Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Justin Tallis/WPA Pool; (Inset) Tim Graham Photo Library

Prince William’s coy smile, warm nature, and effortless ability to connect with people have always been reminiscent of his mother, Princess Diana. His latest outing, visiting the Mercian Regiment in Bulford on March 26, was no different, as many attributed his authenticity and humility to his late mother. Body language expert Darron Stanton believes that the Prince’s broad smile and active listening genuinely showed his interest in connecting with the armed forces and making a change, a trait he has clearly inherited from his mother, the late Princess.Prince William meets family members of the soldiers during a visit to Bulford. (Image Source: Getty Images | Justin Tallis)During his interaction as Colonel-in-Chief, the Prince of Wales got a first-hand look at the experiences and challenges the armed forces face while serving their country. Weighing in on his ability to understand their struggles, Stanton told InStyle, “William sits with his hands clasped in front of him, talking to the soldiers. Whilst sat in this position, he tilts his head, which is a sign of evaluation and active listening.” He continued, “This will subconsciously make those talking to him feel more comfortable and feel as though what they are saying is being listened to and appreciated.”

Princess Diana during a walkabout in Adelaide, Australia. (Image Source: Getty Images | Tim Graham Photo Library)

In one moment, Stanton pointed out that William laughed broadly with the soldiers and exhibited what he called the ‘Duchenne Smile,’ inherited from his mother. He explained, “This genuine Duchenne smile, his [William’s] active listening, and his lack of any kind of domineering power gestures show him to be warm, authentic, and genuinely wants to connect with the people he is talking to, which is indicative of how Princess Diana used to be.” He further opined, “You could cover up any part of his face and still be able to tell what emotion he was feeling. It was genuine joy.”

Indeed, the Prince has never had a problem connecting with the public, as he has often credited Diana for teaching him grounded values and humility. In part one of his 2024 documentary, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, he recalled how Diana took him to The Passage as a young boy, a charity dedicated to eradicating homelessness. He said, “I have taken some guidance from what my mother did… My mother went about her usual part of making everyone feel relaxed, having a laugh, and joking with everyone. I remember at the time kind of thinking, ‘Well, if everyone’s not got a home, they’re all going to be really sad.’” He has since become the patron of the charity, carrying forward Diana’s legacy of compassion and service.

Prince William meets soldiers and their family members during a visit to Bulford. (Image Source: Getty Images | Justin Tallis)
And as for his latest visit, he once again embodied Diana’s penchant for joking with people, quipping with the soldiers. As reported by The Mirror, he appreciated their moustaches, poking fun at himself in the process. He joked, “I might end up taking mine [beard] off and leaving a tash.” Keeping the conversation going, Lt. Jack Austin shared, “It started in Estonia; a few of us officers grew moustaches, and it snowballed from there.” This sparked some laughter as William added that the style was ‘creeping in now.’