Kate Middleton was back in the spotlight for Remembrance Sunday this year after spending much of the past few months away from prying eyes as she focused on her health battle.
Queen Camilla was absent due to illness, leaving the Princess of Wales to be accompanied on the balcony overlooking the Cenotaph service by Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh. Camilla commemorated the day while recuperating from a chest infection at home upon the orders of doctors.
But at a previous remembrance event, Kate appeared to issue a subtle reminder to Camilla about royal hierarchy as they watched the annual service, according to a body language expert.
The Princess of Wales and the Queen took their traditional spot on a balcony of the Foreign Office, which overlooks the Cenotaph in Central London, as they watched King Charles lead the emotional service last year.
Both women were wrapped up in elegant black coats and hats amid the chilly temperatures with pearl jewellery on to complete their outfits, as we reported.
It was the second time that Charles had led the nation on Remembrance Sunday since he became monarch the previous September. He led a poignant two minutes’ silence before laying a wreath at the Cenotaph followed by Prince William and other royals and politicians.
According to body language expert Judi James, both Kate and Camilla gave off the impression of a “strong team” as they stood together to watch their husbands take part in the ceremony.
She told the Mirror: “Standing apart, almost at either end of the royal balcony and without Sophie present to create the usual trio of royal brides, Camilla and Kate presented visibly as status equals here.
“Their poses looked similar and their almost matching, wide-brimmed hats were both pitched at exactly the same angle, with this mirroring giving the impression of a strong team of two as they looked down on their husbands laying their wreaths.
“Kate had looked tearful at the very moving service the previous evening and she sustained a very solemn facial expression here but Camilla adopted a ‘beatific’ smile which is a gesture associated with calm, quiet happiness.”
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However, Judi did pick up on one moment at the end of the service in which Kate seemed to remind Camilla about hierarchy – given she is the Queen, while Kate is a princess.
Judi explained: “There was a moment at the end of the service when both women seemed to define the way that the late Queen’s death has left them still needing small royal hierarchical reminders or cues.
“Camilla turned her head towards the interior but it seemed to need Kate to say ‘after you’ as she turned in the same direction.
“Camilla threw her wide, affectionate smile of what looked like gratitude as the two women stepped elegantly inside.”
Unlike King Charles and other members of the Royal Family who wore one simple poppy on their uniforms, Kate opted to add several of the flowers to her outfit to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the World Wars and other conflicts.
One theory is that royals wear multiple brooches in honour of family members who have fought and died in wars, although it has never been confirmed by the palace.
Kate’s great-grandmother had three brothers who were all killed in action during World War One and the Princess was given the opportunity to read letters from her ancestors during an emotional visit to the Imperial War Museum in 2018.
Other female members of the Royal Family often choose to do the same, with the late Queen Elizabeth famously wearing a collection of five poppies to the Cenotaph which many believed was her way of paying tribute to the five branches of service including the Army, the Royal Navy and the RAF.
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