Prince William and Princess Kate Could Never Show the Amount of PDA That Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi Can Get Away With: Expert
Well, sure.
Prince William and Princess Kate recently attended the royal wedding of Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa of Jordan, as did Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
Both couples' appearances provided a great opportunity to observe how differently ranking royals act when attending official events—with William and Kate seeming to mean business, while Beatrice and Edo were able to put up a more lighthearted and loved-up front.
According to body language expert Judi James, these two very different attitudes are absolutely not surprising.
"There are two very different sets of body language here from two very different royal couples, separated by rank, duty and attitude," she explained to Express.
"Kate and William are probably one of the last royal couples to prefer a formal and non-tactile approach to their public appearances.
"They are totally capable of signaling love, affection and admiration but they do it via intense and often subliminal mirroring of each other.
"They also use subtle and rapid touches and the occasional gaze, often with William gazing at his wife in what looks like love tinged with awe."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Indeed, the royal spouses are often seen sweetly teasing or competing with each other, placing an affectionate hand on each other's backs, and holding hands. Kate once even playfully tapped her husband's butt, so it's clear the two have a wonderful time together even if they do it more subtly.
James also explained that the Waleses try to stay away from "soap-opera or celebrity-style interest," terms which are more so used to describe Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's behavior in public.
"As Harry and Meghan have discovered, the more intimate the tie signs and affectionate touches you use in public, the more interest you stir up and the more tempting hints you drop about your emotions and inner feelings," James said, adding that PDA can "seem to exclude the viewers" instead of fostering connections with whoever the Waleses are meeting with—in this case the wedding hosts.
"Another reason the subtler PDAs are a wise idea is that it bullet proofs the royal body language. Intense affection is great but what if, like all couples, they fall out, argue or go through a bad patch behind the scenes?" James continued, quite wisely.
"It can be less about what a royal couple does and more about what they stop doing because if those clasps, hugs and PDAs suddenly cease, the effect will be dramatic and telling."
With that said, William and Kate worried royal watchers at one point during their visit to Jordan, when the Prince of Wales was filmed saying "chop chop" to his wife as she was talking to the new bride for just seconds. So tenser-looking moments between royal couples can unfortunately also get people talking, even if they weren't what they seemed.
Meanwhile, "Beatrice and Edoardo happily tell a whole story via their sweet body language signals here though," Judi said about the couple's Jordanian visit.
"Arriving hand-in-hand their smiles look bashful and they seem to giggle together, looking very much like newlyweds.
"It’s cute and clearly romantic, but it would never work for Kate and William, who represent the crown as well as just acting like wedding guests and friends of the bride and groom."
Fair enough!
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Chrishell Stause Will Play the Villain If She Needs To
The 'Selling Sunset' star has achieved what few (maybe no one) in the reality TV genre has: being a longtime fan favorite. But with her appearance on season 3 of 'Traitors,' she's ready to make enemies and get a little scrappy.
By Brian Moylan Published
-
This Unexpected Royal is Richer Than The King
The top three people on this list might surprise you.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Sydney Sweeney Winterizes a Plunging Mini Dress With a Sheer Turtleneck and a Fur-Lined Penny Lane Coat
The star layered all her favorite cold-weather trends for a night on Broadway.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
This Unexpected Royal is Richer Than The King
The top three people on this list might surprise you.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
King Charles is "Keen" to Keep These Royals in the Fold Even if They'll Never Get "Full-Time" Roles
Despite a "slimmed-down" monarchy, these two aren't going anywhere.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Why King Charles's Cousin Immediately Name-Dropped Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on 'The Traitors'
Lord Ivar Mountbatten quickly established his connection to the Sussexes, and discussed his status as the first openly gay British royal.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
These Royals Could Step Up to Help Prince William When He's King "If He Calls on Them"
Three members of the Royal Family are likely to pitch in with duties down the line.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Kate Middleton Reportedly Acts as the “Glue” When Prince William and King Charles Don’t See Eye-to-Eye
"She is solution-focused and is certainly the glue between Prince William and King Charles III."
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
What Prince William’s Birthday Tribute to Kate Middleton Reveals About How Her Cancer Diagnosis Has Affected Their Relationship
A royal expert unpacked the meaning behind the "'heartfelt" post.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Princess Beatrice Is Set to Make an Unexpected International Appearance Just Weeks Before Her Due Date
The pregnant royal recently canceled plans to spend Christmas in Italy after doctors allegedly advised her not to travel.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Queen Elizabeth's Final Birthday Gift to Kate Middleton Was a Precious Heirloom With Specific Rules Attached
The present, which was from the Queen's private collection, "brought tears to Kate's eyes."
By Amy Mackelden Published