From ‘macho’ Prince William to ‘leader of the pack’ Kate Middleton – how the Cambridge’s Christmas cards have evolved
THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Christmas card this year cements Kate Middleton as the 'leader of the pack', while Princess Charlotte oozes confidence, a body language expert has revealed.
Prince William and Kate Middleton's, both 38, traditional annual card was released last week, days after it was leaked online.
The homely shot shows Princess Charlotte, five, on Kate's knee, while Prince William holds a lovely Prince Louis, two, while Prince George, seven, perches on a haybale as the family pose outdoors.
According to body language expert, Judi James, the al fresco shot demonstrates that Charlotte, five, is not camera-shy and Kate Middleton is the “leader of the pack”.
Judi explained to Fabulous: “They pose as a very tight, bonded unit.
“Kate looks very much the leader of the pack, sitting upright like the backbone of the family and greeting the camera with direct eye contact that signals high levels of confidence.
“Charlotte is challenging her mother’s role as the most confident-looking member of the family group here.
Kate looks very much the leader of the pack, sitting upright like the backbone of the family
Judi James
“This look of mild challenge is so similar to the expression her great-grandmother the Queen has always worn, suggesting a tendency for strong focus and active listening, but also an ability to question everything, too.”
Judi said that the card challenges the notion that royal families have to be stuffy and traditional - and says William shows his affection for wife Kate in the shot.
Last year we saw Kate's arm gently on 'macho' William's shoulder, as he sat astride a vintage motorbike and the kids clamber around him, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's family Christmas card painting a picture of a relaxed weekend in the country.
But while it appears George, Charlotte Louis took centre stage, Judi revealed the carefully chosen shot is actually more about William showing off his confidence.
Despite 2019 being a turbulent year for the Royal Family - with talk of a fall out between Harry and William, Meghan feeling she is "existing not living" and sordid claims about Prince Andrew allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old - heir William seems like he wants a slice of the 'glam royal' life in this shot, regardless of its pitfalls.
"The prop of the bike seems designed to suggest William's machismo and, while he does his impression of Steve McQueen, Kate waits at the side with only one hand on the handlebars to suggest she’s having little part in the steering," Judi explains.
"She's also back in a pretty floral £120 dress from 'mumsie' brand Boden - which we haven't seen in recent Christmas cards - a step away from the confident and dominant poses of the past."
Here Judi talks us through the evolution of Kate and William's relationship, according to their Christmas cards...
2011: William calls the shots
Having tied the knot in April 2011, Kate and William beamed with happiness in the photo chosen for their first joint Christmas card, taken from their first overseas tour in Canada.
But Judi notes Kate looks very much like the formal and rather nervous royal newbie - and more like a girlfriend than a wife.
"The large spatial gap between William and his wife emphasises that appearance," she explains.
"The way Kate sits rigidly upright with her hands crossed rather primly on her legs compared to William lolling in his seat, make him look more relaxed and his splay pose creates high-status feel.
"You almost feel that William chose this shot, with his film-star smile and his tan creating maximum glamour here."
2013: A couple in-sync
With 2012's card remaining unknown, come 2013, there’s "far more synchronicity and continuity between the couple now that George has turned two into three," says Judi.
"Even though the christening shot looks very choreographed, it entails the couple sitting close and using mirrored body language with matching smiles and head tilts which shows status equality and like-minded thinking.
"Like the first card the photo selected suggests a desire to get the royal look right rather than revealing much about their genuine personalities."
2014: Parents, not royals
With George taking centre stage once again, "this is a much more relaxed, informal and spontaneous-looking pose," says Judi.
"The focus is on George while Kate and William are presented primarily as parents rather than exclusively as royals.
"Kate smiles indulgently as William plays with their small son and their roles do still look very stereotypical and slightly old-fashioned, with William’s rolled up sleeves making him look like the strong, 'active Daddy' while Kate’s floral dress is more ‘pretty Mummy’."
2015: All about Kate
After arriving in May to make them a four, Princess Charlotte made her Christmas card debut in 2015. But, despite the new arrival, Judi says the focus is on Kate.
"Kate’s younger, less formal hairstyle complete with floppy fringe and her tired-looking smile make her look understandably exhausted here as mother of two small children," she says.
"The pose is primarily about Kate and the kids, who sit bunched in a tactile, loving group while William sits watching more from the sidelines.
"He leans into the pose but there is no touch from him here.
"He’s been made to look slightly in awe of his growing family although the coordinating blue knitwear defines them as a tight team."
2016: Inviting us in
"There seems to be a growing sense of confidence from William and Kate now in terms of ‘being themselves’ and using a more natural and authentic looking moment for their card rather than a studio shoot or more choreographed look," observes Judi.
"Carrying a child each all four of them appear absorbed and entertained by the balloon man here, meaning their smiles look congruent and authentic.
"We are being invited to watch and share the moment here rather than seeing the family staring into the camera to wish us a Happy Christmas."
2017: Lacking warmth and spontaneity
"This is probably the most puzzling Christmas photo," Judi says, "as it lacks warmth, authenticity and spontaneity, with William and Kate dressed in the kind of business formals that you might expect to see in Canary Wharf rather than a royal home.
"Even George and Charlotte have been coordinated into the smart blue theme and with William and Kate standing looking huge behind them there is little if any idea of play or fun.
"It’s their first studio shot on a plain white back-drop and there is no hint of Christmas spirit in either the styling or the warmth of the pose.
It’s hard to see what they wanted to achieve here and rather cold, over-thought look suggests a hiatus in the increasingly relaxed and confident appearance of the couple.
"They seemed to be putting themselves at a distance here and this would be a rather imposing pose to have sitting on your mantelpiece along with the rest of your cards."
2018: Dominant Kate
"William and Kate looked back on track here with a complete change of tone," Judi observes.
"The formality and slight iciness has gone to be replaced by their most informal-looking pose to date. "The kids look playful and mischievous and the arrival of baby Louis seems to have achieved a complete change of dynamic.
"Sitting outside among and on trees it’s all jeans and jumpers and checked shirts and Kate’s pose suggests her role has become more dominant and assertive as she sits to the front of the pose with little Louis on her lap.
"This is a much more active, sporty-looking Kate, while William sits looking rather more bashful in the background."
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