From the serious allegations about King Charles in Earl Spencer’s newly released book on Princess Diana to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s return to the UK, the Royal Family has faced another wave of controversy this month.
Yet William and Kate appeared determined to put the turmoil to one side. The Prince and Princess of Wales presented a united front on the red carpet last night at the premiere of Digger, starring Tom Cruise.
Although the couple appeared to be all smiles for photographers, body language expert Judi James has identified several subtle details that may offer clues about how William and Kate are responding to the latest royal drama.
On the surface, the couple looked radiant. Kate made a glamorous entrance in a striking purple floor-length gown, while William opted for a polished velvet smoking jacket.
Kate has long approached royal engagements with warmth and composure. However, her public presence appeared to take on a different quality in 2024, when she resumed official duties after stepping away to undergo cancer treatment.
Serious health challenges can often put personal worries into perspective and clarify what matters most. According to James, Kate’s appearance at the premiere suggested that she had set family tensions aside and was placing duty first. With her head held high, shoulders relaxed and an expansive smile, the Princess of Wales appeared to be signalling that she was prepared to face the moment with confidence.
William and Kate appeared all smiles for the cameras, but body language expert Judi James points to subtle clues about how the couple may be handling this month’s royal controversy
William clenched one fist during the appearance, a gesture that may suggest his hand position was reflecting the pressure of his family’s troubles
The Prince of Wales was also seen placing a hand over his stomach, potentially a subconscious self-soothing gesture
Kate appeared firmly back in the spotlight—not only as a key source of strength within the Royal Family, but also as one of its most prominent figures. James suggested that the Princess’s resilience and composure echoed the late Queen, whose familiar “smile and wave” became a lifelong public trademark.
Even Kate’s jewellery seemed to carry a message. Her purple amethyst heart necklace, which dates from 1923, could be seen as a symbol of family ties and a willingness to rebuild relations with the Sussexes. The necklace and matching earrings were previously worn by Queen Camilla at the 2012 premiere of Skyfall, making Kate’s choice potentially another sign of her support for the Firm.
The Princess of Wales projected a level of confidence that William appeared to find more difficult to sustain. As he walked onto the red carpet, his proud smile remained in place, but a closer look at his hand movements suggested that he may still be carrying the emotional strain surrounding his family.
As he walked down the stairs, William briefly clenched his fists—a possible indication of emotional control and underlying tension. He then placed a hand over his stomach, which may have been an unconscious attempt to comfort himself.
It appeared as though William was carrying an enormous emotional burden.
The pressures are understandable. William is facing the strain placed on the monarchy by Earl Spencer’s book, which criticises the King’s handling of Diana’s death. The publication may also have reopened painful memories of his mother’s death, while adding to the ongoing tension in his relationship with Harry.
Kate appeared to draw on the late Queen’s familiar signals of resilience and composure, including her trademark “smile and wave”
The Princess of Wales wore a purple amethyst heart necklace and matching earrings previously worn by Queen Camilla in 2012, possibly signalling her support for the Firm
Tom Cruise helped Kate up the stairs as they spoke, suggesting that their long-standing friendship remains strong
At the 2022 premiere of Top Gun: Maverick, Cruise also offered Kate his hand on the stairs, after which she moved her clutch into her left hand
While William’s gestures may have hinted at the pressures he was carrying, his broad smile and Kate’s radiant presence underlined the couple’s commitment to appearing in public and supporting their royal duties.
And what of Kate’s interaction with Tom Cruise? Readers may remember that rumours swirled in 2022 after it was alleged that Kate subtly swerved Cruise at the Top Gun: Maverick premiere. In true gentlemanly fashion, Cruise offered Kate his hand to assist her up the stairs in her long black ball gown. Once Cruise let go of her hand, Kate swapped her clutch into her left hand.
The subtle interaction raised questions about royal protocol – was Kate merely putting her clutch back into her left hand to keep it free to shake hands with people? Or was it a deliberate move to ensure that Cruise wouldn’t take her hand again?
Whatever Kate’s motives were in 2022, the interaction played out differently last night. Sharing a cheerful grin alongside the actor, it seems that Kate and Cruise’s longstanding friendship is stronger than ever.
Here, Kate starts with her clutch in her left hand. Cruise reaches to guide her and she places the clutch in her right, showing she’s secure in the fact that Cruise is operating from a place of old-fashioned gallantry.
Cruise reaches his hand out to touch Kate’s elbow in an ‘awareness’ ritual, offering to guide Kate down the stairs – but she is at first holding her clutch in her left hand
Once the Princess of Wales switched the bag to her right hand, she appeared to glance to her side to check out William’s reaction as she held Cruise’s hand
Kate mirrored Cruise last night as he smiled and waved to screaming fans, beaming to show how in awe he is of the moment
As the Waleses walk through the door together, William placed one hand on Kate’s back in a loving gesture that also seemed to say ‘you’re mine’
When she takes her flowing skirt in both hands as they descend some steps, Cruise reaches one hand out to touch her elbow in an ‘awareness’ ritual, showing a gentlemanly sense of protection with a very light touch.
Cruise’s wide grin of beaming delight at the crowd shows how in awe he is of the moment and Kate’s permission. It really is a moment of ‘Permission Impossible’ as this would not be a normal body language moment for our leading royals.
Kate even glances to her side to check out William but as he appears busy, she then mirrors Cruise’s excited smile and waves to the screaming fans.
William is possibly flattered to have his wife led in by a superstar, but there is still a small follow-up gesture as they walk through the door together. He places one hand on Kate’s back in a loving gesture that also seems to say: ‘You’re back and you’re mine!’
