Body language expert reveals how 'stoic' Kate took cues from the Queen

After nine months of continuous whispers about the state of their relationship, Meghan and Kate were today determined to put feud rumours to bed with a truce at the tennis.

The 'duelling Duchesses', both 37, seemed to be getting on famously as they chatted and smiled in the Royal Box, after taking their seats to watch Meghan's good friend Serena Williams in the Ladies Singles Final, where she was ultimately beaten 6-2, 6-2 by Romania's Simona Halep.

And according to body language expert Judi James, today's united display was not just a front for the public, but indicates a growing friendship between the two royals, noting positive signs such as mirroring each other's gestures and even touching arms at one point. 

And she said Kate - who looked elegant in a green D&G midi dress- may well have taken cues from the Queen by acting in a 'stoic' but determined way to put paid to any negative rumours about the relationships in her family.  

The pair shared also a sweet moment, when it was suggested to Wimbledon winner Simona Halep by an interviewer that she might get to meet the Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex.

Simona replied that it would be 'amazing', prompting smiles from both Kate and Meghan, who opted for a preppy look in a crisp white shirt and pleated Boss skirt. .  

According to a lip reading expert, the Duchess of Sussex then turned to Kate and said 'ahh that’s so nice', and they both laughed and smiled in a self-deprecating fashion. 

Judi James added: 'Both Kate and Meghan looked at one another, performing a mutually modest self-diminishing ritual as they grinned together, with the synchronised movement suggesting like-minded thinking.' 

Kate and Meghan were also seen mirroring each other's gestures, which Judi said 'signals subliminal rapport, with both using the same relaxed-looking low-slung hand clasp'.

Referring to a moment when their arms touched, Judi said: The proximity of their inner arms here, with what looks like some touching, could be a very powerful signal of growing friendship.'

She added that Kate seemed to have taken note from the Queen in her approach to today's outing.  

'There are echoes of the Queen's trait of stoic but emphatic body language rituals to nail any negative rumours about her family from Kate.'

Indeed, it seemed to be the Duchess of Cambridge who went out of her way today to ensure that Meghan was at ease. 

She brought along her sister Pippa and Meghan sat between them, so that the Duchess wasn't in competition for Kate's attention.  

'Kate sat Meghan in middle position, between herself and sister Pippa to ensure she was double-hosted for the tournament,' Judi explained. 

'She also leaned in towards her using eye-contact and some bouts of very relaxed-looking laughter to show friendly bonds in the face of all the rumoured rifts.

'Meghan's active gesticulations suggested she enjoyed sharing what often looked like giggling laughter with Kate and Pippa. 

'As they joked together all three leaned back in their seats in a very congruent ritual of relaxation in one another's company.'

Kate made her way to the grounds ahead of Meghan this morning, to attend a lunch for club members and former champions in her role as patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club before the game. 

It's the second time in a week that Meghan's come along to see her friend play, although her last visit caused controversy, after bodyguards told fans not to take pictures of her, and she flouted rules by wearing jeans in a members' only area.

The controversy came just days after Meghan and Harry faced a public backlash for insisting on keeping their son Archie's christening completely private, and refusing to reveal the names of his godparents.

Not only does today's outing with Kate give Harry's wife a chance for a less controversial Wimbledon outing, but it also helps the pair put paid to rumours of a feud with her sister-in-law, which have swirled continuously since last November.

The Duchess looked glamorous in a bespoke green D&G midi dress, estimated to have cost £2,150, previously worn in 2016 on a visit to Kelowna, during a royal tour of Canada, and completed the look with a cream handbag from the same brand.  

Meanwhile, Meghan opted for a crisp white shirt, teamed with a pleated £350 Boss midi skirt, with an abstract blue and black pattern, as she turned out to watch her friend Serena who had been hoping to win her eighth Wimbledon Ladies Singles title. 

She received a strong show of support from Meghan, who couldn't resists showing her loyalty to her pal by 'clapping vigorously', despite the fact royals should remain neutral when attending a game in an official capacity.  

November 2017:Harry and Meghan give an interview to mark their engagement, and the former Suits star pays tribute to her future sister-in-law, saying that the 'being neighbours' the two couples had spent time together.  'Catherine has been absolutely amazing, as has William as well, you know, fantastic support,' Meghan said.  December 2017:  Meghan and Kate are seen in public together for the first time as they attend the Christmas Day service at Sandringham, with the Cambridges hosting Harry and Meghan at their Norfolk Home, Anmer Hall.  February 2018: The pair carry out their first official joint engagement, appearing at the Royal Foundation forum in London with William and Harry, and the couples are quickly dubbed the 'fab four'. May 2018: Prince Harry and Meghan tie the knot at St George's Chapel, Windsor, with Kate's children Princess Charlotte and Prince George among the bridesmaids and page boys.  July 2018: Meghan and Kate make their first joint public appearance without William and Harry when they attend the Ladies Singles Final at Wimbledon.  November 2018: It emerges that Harry and Meghan are planning to move out of Kensington Palace and make their home at Frogmore Cottage, Windsor, as well as formally dividing their joint courts, with Harry and Meghan setting up separately. And rumours started to swirl that a rift between the two Duchesses was to blame.  A source said at the time: 'Kate and Meghan are very different people. They don't really get on.'  That same month, sources claim that Kate was left in tears after Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress fitting ahead of Meghan's wedding. December 2018:Rumours start to swirl that the Cambridges would not be hosting the Sussexes at Anmer Hall over Christmas, after a 'ghastly row' the previous year.  Sources claimed that Kate had a quiet word with Meghan for reprimanding one of her staff, leading to the Duchess of Sussex complaining to Harry that she'd been 'told off'.  However, a Kensington Palace spokesperson shot down the story saying: 'This never happened.'  On Christmas Day, Kate and Meghan put on a united front as they chatted and smiled on the way to church.  Harry and Meghan were hosted by the Queen at Sandringham, while Kate and William stayed at their own home, Anmer Hall.  June 2019: It's announced that Harry and Meghan are formally splitting from The Royal Foundation with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to set up their own charitable organisation.  July 2019:Kate and Meghan enjoy their first joint outing since Wimbledon the previous year as they support William and Harry at a charity polo tournament.  Although pictures didn't capture much interaction between the two, they appeared relaxed as Meghan doted on Baby Archie and Kate looked after her three children.   Today, the Duchesses are attending Wimbledon together.  

Source: Daily Mail

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