The Prince and Princess of Wales typically shy away from public displays of affection, but their ‘authentic romance’ still shines through, a body language expert has claimed.

Analysing a clip of Prince William, 43, and Kate, who turns 44 today, together at the Commonwealth Day Service in 2022, Judi James noted a sweet romantic gesture that left royal fans swooning at the time.

Kate, who dazzled in a bespoke, blue Catherine Walker coat dress, was caught off guard when it started raining as soon as the couple emerged from London‘s Westminster Abbey.

When a royal aide came rushing towards Kate with an umbrella, she politely declined his offer and continued chatting with a group of children who had gathered outside the church.

The footage showed how William ‘went into rescue mode’ and rushed to hold the same umbrella over Kate’s head, as Ms James said the simple gesture showed his ‘thoughtful and caring nature’.

When Kate smiled back at her husband, Ms James noted a ‘blush of pleasure’ that suggested the future King is genuinely delighted by the ‘act of making Kate happy’.

She said: ‘It is Kate’s glance of loving approval, which makes him grin with a blush of pleasure.

‘What makes this gesture even more romantic is that it is an act that William, as a future king, could have delegated.’

The Prince and Princess of Wales (both pictured) typically shy away from public displays of affection, but their 'authentic romance' still shines through, a body language expert has claimed
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The Prince and Princess of Wales (both pictured) typically shy away from public displays of affection, but their ‘authentic romance’ still shines through, a body language expert has claimed

Analysing a clip of Prince William, 43, and Kate, who turns 44 today, together at the Commonwealth Day Service in 2022, Judi Jamesnoted a sweet romantic gesture that left royal fans swooning at the time
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Analysing a clip of Prince William, 43, and Kate, who turns 44 today, together at the Commonwealth Day Service in 2022, Judi Jamesnoted a sweet romantic gesture that left royal fans swooning at the time

Kate’s refusal to accept an umbrella from a royal aide indicated her ‘relatable’ and ‘down-to-earth’ nature, while also suggesting that the princess is ‘unwilling to opt for preferential, high-status treatment’, Ms James added.

While Kate acted like ‘nothing is happening’, William sprang into action as he indicated by ‘an eyebrow flash of intent to his aide and then stretching his arm out for the brolly, pronto’.

The future King appeared to be unafraid to lower his royal status, with his body language suggesting ‘a lack of regal arrogance and pretention’.

Ms James explained: ‘This is also a statement of status. William signals that it’s his wife doing the important stuff with this gesture while he happily lowers his own royal status to support her.’

She also noted that William seems ‘excited’ to be fulfilling this loving act of service for his wife and was particularly pleased when Kate granted him a ‘glance of recognition and approval’.

Rather than providing his wife with the umbrella in a bid to impress onlookers, Ms James added that William simply gets a ‘sense of joy at the act of making Kate happy’.

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Does Prince William’s humble gesture reveal the real secret to lasting royal love?

The footage showed how William 'went into rescue mode' and rushed to hold an umbrella over Kate's head, as Ms James said the simple gesture showed his 'thoughtful and caring nature'
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The footage showed how William ‘went into rescue mode’ and rushed to hold an umbrella over Kate’s head, as Ms James said the simple gesture showed his ‘thoughtful and caring nature’

Ms James added that William simply gets a 'sense of joy at the act of making Kate happy'
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 Ms James added that William simply gets a ‘sense of joy at the act of making Kate happy’

The Prince and Princess of Wales communicate their love and support for one another via subtle gestures and non-verbal signals
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The Prince and Princess of Wales communicate their love and support for one another via subtle gestures and non-verbal signals

She claimed that their sweet interaction would have given the prince a ‘quiet pleasure’ and added: ‘There’s no pose for the cameras or preening here, William makes it look as though this is the kind of thing he does every day of his life.’

Royal author Robert Jobson previously described the moment as a ‘gentlemanly act’ by a doting husband in his book, Catherine, the Princess of Wales: A Biography for a Future Queen.

The quiet moment of love also captured the hearts of royal fans on X, as one person noted that ‘you can see Prince William and Kate are holding onto each other without even being physical’.

They added: ‘Their love for one another can be deeply felt. They complete each other.’

Another comment read: ‘Ahhhhh, SO romantic, and Prince William isn’t even meant to hold an umbrella at formal occasions. He just wanted to.’

Meanwhile, a third praised William for being a ‘good husband who thinks about every tiny thing to protect the love of his life’.

‘It’s called true love,’ they added.

After more than 23 years together, the Prince and Princess continue to communicate their love and support for each other through subtle, non-verbal cues.

According to royal biographer Gyles Brandreth, the pair often engaged in ‘fleeting signs of mutual support’ during public engagements – particularly during their early days of marriage.

Writing in Prince Philip’s biography, Mr Brandreth noted how Kate and William kept their attention on ‘the people immediately in front of them’ during a royal outing in 2012.

He added: ‘Not once did either of them play to the camera – or even acknowledge them,’ he continued. ‘Occasionally, Prince William put out a hand to touch his wife’s fingers or elbow or shoulder, and she reciprocated with a smile.’