Body language expert: Kate Middleton is ‘carrying Royal Family’

Kate Middleton is ‘almost singlehandedly’ carrying the Royal Family right now and is proving a pillar of strength for her ‘under pressure’ husband, a body language expert has claimed.

Yesterday the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge enjoyed a romantic clifftop walk in rural Ireland – accompanied by security – after visiting a cattle farm and meeting young people facing mental health issues and homelessness. 

The couple’s whistle-stop royal tour of the country is intended to soothe post-Brexit relations between the UK and the Republic of Ireland. 

During the trip, body language expert Judi James observed how Kate took the lead at engagements, illustrating the ‘energy and power she is putting in as she steps up to the plate’.

‘Kate does seem to be carrying the royal firm almost single-handedly right now,’ Judi told FEMAIL.

‘In many of these poses she is taking the lead, approaching the hosts first, instigating the humour, and engaging in conversations using some very active gesticulation. 

‘She also looks quietly watchful of William, throwing him several cues of encouragement, suggesting the split from his brother is taking its toll.’ 

According to Judi, William had tended to walk with his hands stuffed into his pockets, looking slightly isolated, but Kate’s linking gesture (right) and PDA (left) suggested support and affection

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were spoiled for weather as they strolled up to Howth Head east of Dublin 

With Prince Harry currently in the UK to carry out his final royal engagements before he steps back as a senior member of The Firm, Judi said William’s body language suggests he is feeling the strain of the recent drama.

‘William’s subliminal gestures of what looks like anxiety do seem to have increased,’ she observed.

‘Like Kate, he has been full of smiles and charm on this trip, but his body language ‘leakage’ suggests he feels under pressure right now.’

She added: ‘I would say overall that all the dramas in the royal family and the split between the two brothers might have brought William and Kate even closer, with him appreciating the way she has shown her own strength and ability to take over, plus what has probably been her strong emotional support too.’

William’s subliminal gestures of what looks like anxiety do seem to have increased, according to Judi

With Prince Harry currently in the UK to carry out his final royal engagements before he steps back as a senior member of The Firm, Judi said William’s body language suggests he is feeling the strain of the recent drama 

Judi said during the trip to Ireland, the Duke of Cambridge displayed an increase in ‘self-comfort rituals’, such as placing a hand on his stomach in a ‘partial barrier gesture’ and ‘some hand-wringing and jacket-holding’. 

‘His head has been down more than usual, making him look reflective,’ she added.

‘He is clearly also keen to appear upbeat and charming though, but it often seems to be a very heavily-engaged and confident-looking Kate taking the more active role with their hosts.’

Judi said Kate took the opportunity to turn their stroll up the trail in the Howth peninsula, a popular tourist spot east of central Dublin that attracts thousands of visitors every year, into a romantic PDA by linking her arm into her husband’s and smiling in a way to suggest they were ‘sharing a quiet moment together’. 

During the trip, body language expert Judi James observed how Kate took the lead at engagements, illustrating the ‘energy and power she is putting in as she steps up to the plate’ 

‘William had tended to walk with his hands stuffed into his pockets, looking slightly isolated, but Kate’s linking gesture suggested support and affection,’ she told FEMAIL.

‘The affection appeared to be appreciated by William as the pair shared a more mutual – and unusual for them – PDA, standing with their arms linked round one another as they admired the view.’

The royal couple stopped to chat to locals while on their walk, and William joked he has only been allowed ‘two sips’ of Guinness so far in Ireland before officials take keep taking them away from him. 

Judi said William’s head has been down more than usual on this trip, making him look reflective, while Kate has maintained a smiley and open disposition. Pictured at Teagasc Research Farm

Kate said it was ‘such a great day to come and see the view’ before being asked if she was enjoying Ireland. She replied: ‘Yeah, we’re loving it, thank you.

‘We’ve got a few bits left – we’re going to Galway tomorrow.’ A local then replied: ‘Always fabulous, better pints of Guinness in Galway.’

And William said: ‘I know, I’ve been allowed two sips so far. Every time I have the third sip it gets taken away from me. Finish a pint by the time I…’.

Judi said Kate looks quietly watchful of William, throwing him several cues of encouragement, suggesting the split from his brother is taking its toll

A resident replied: ‘It’s a bit of a tough gig.’ William responded: ‘Yeah, tough gig.’ The couple then walked off as a local told them: ‘Thanks for coming out.’

The Duke and Duchess were both handed a pint of the black stuff as they visited the world famous Guinness Storehouse in Dublin on Tuesday evening.

The duke and duchess’s outing came after a day of formal engagements to launch their first official visit to Ireland, nine years after the Queen became the first British monarch to visit the country since its independence.