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'Kate looks ready to flee': Body language expert on 'awkward' family portrait

Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince Harry, Meghan, Archie, Doria Ragland, Prince William and Kate pose for family portrait after christening
Harry and Meghan released an official family portrait from Archie's christening. Photo: Chris Allerton/Sussex Royal

Prince Harry and Meghan released two gorgeous family photos from Archie’s christening, which took place in a private chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday.

But it’s the more formal of the two - a traditional royal family portrait - that has fans and body language experts alike cringing at the awkwardness.

The image, taken in Windsor Castle’s Green Drawing Room, showed many a glowing family member celebrating the newest royal.

Body Language expert Judi James however has revealed there is an element of ‘awkwardness’, in particular from William and Kate.

According to the expert, Kate’s posture made it look like she was “ready to flee”, a stark contrast from Archie’s grandparents - Prince Charles and Camilla - at the other end of the group shot.

Prince William and Kate Middleton in royal family portrait released for Archie's christening
A body language expert says both William and Kate look awkward. Photo: Chris Allerton/Sussex Royal

“Given all the rift rumours the rather ‘ready to flee’ tension in her pose could be seen as awkwardness,” Judi told the MailOnline.

“But it could also show a desire to lower her own status signals and not upstage the happy couple.

“With a very relaxed and jolly-looking Camilla down one end of this pose, Kate sits at the other looking oddly self-diminished and prim, with her arms pulled into her torso and a part-smile on her face.”

Both William and Kate looking uncomfortable

Prince Harry’s brother William and Kate sit to the right of their new nephew, with William dressed in a dark navy suit like his father.

Judy said William is standing like a ‘nightclub bouncer’, while fans on Twitter mused about the duke’s facial expression, saying it looked like he was trying “not to smirk”.

Photo: Twitter
Photo: Twitter
Photo: Twitter
Photo: Twitter
Photo: Twitter
Photo: Twitter
Photo: Twitter
Photo: Twitter

Most thought William did “not look happy at all” and said that Kate’s smile also looked “forced”.

“Kate doesn't have a real smile on her face. She looks pained,” one person tweeted. “William looks like he smelled something terrible. They don't look thrilled to be there.”

Photo: Twitter
Photo: Twitter

A private christening for Archie

The Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland were among the 30 guests present for the baptism.

The Queen did not attend as it’s believed she had prior commitments.

Meghan wore a bespoke midi dress by Dior, with Kate looking stunning in a pink pussy-bow dress by Stella McCartney with red courts and a matching headband.

Archie was dressed in the traditional Honiton christening gown. The frilled satin dress is a replica of the baptism garment first worn by Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, also named Victoria, back in 1841.

The names of Archie’s godparents have not been made public. A statement from Buckingham Palace earlier this week, read: “The godparents, in keeping with their wishes, will remain private.”

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