I’m a body language expert – the secret signal Kate Middleton used to help her cheeky kids behave at Trooping the Colour
MANY parents know the struggle of trying to keep their kids behaving in public, and Kate Middleton is no different.
The Princess of Wales, 41, was seen gently parenting Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as they rode in the carriage at Trooping the Colour.
Body language expert Judi James revealed the secret signal the royal mum-of-three did to help her children during the very public experience.
Judi told Fabulous: “Kate’s firm but subtle signals ensure the children keep feeling enthusiastic and, in Louis’ case, excited.
“She beamed with pride when Louis started miming drumming along with the band in the carriage.
“Talking to her children there were a couple of gestures of what looked like guidance about when to wave.
“There was also a spreading gesture of both hands that would normally mean quite a severe message of when to stop or what not to do, too.
“She also put her hands below public view in the carriage to mime that ‘stop’ or ‘end’ sign to them as though warning them where the boundaries were, and on the way back she was doing small reward nods and smiles for their good behaviour, to ensure they were enjoying the event too.”
And Princess Charlotte also got involved with helping her brothers stay in line, according to the body language expert.
Judi added: “Charlotte told Louis to sit up while Kate leaned forward to straighten his tie.
“It’s very sweet to see how he responds quickly to orders from his sister.
“The minute Charlotte told him to sit up in his seat he pulled up straight away with no murmur of dissent or argument.
“When they got back into the carriage we saw Charlotte mirroring Kate when it came to little Louis.
“As Louis sat between his two siblings Charlotte watched Kate carefully and when Kate leant forward to speak to her small son it was Charlotte immediately using one hand to signal that he should budge up in the seat.”
Meanwhile Prince William stepped up to help as he rejoined his family on the balcony.
Judi added: “On the balcony we saw Kate and William working as a team to offer encouragement and reward gestures and rituals to their three children.
“Louis turned to his mother in excitement during the flypast and his behaviour got the reward of a beaming smile from her and an affectionate approval gesture as she stroked his hair.”
The Wales family were seen waving to crowds at King Charles’ first Trooping the Colour parade – and eagle-eyed fans were quick to spot the hidden message in their outfits.
Prince George and Prince Louis looked dapper in their matching navy suits and red ties.
Cheeky Princess Charlotte sat next to them wearing a cute white dress with a red trim and neck scarf.
Meanwhile, mum Kate stunned in an emerald green Andrew Gn dress and matching hat – along with the late Princess Diana’s earrings.
One fan took to Twitter saying: “I just adore the attention to detail, the Wales family are wearing green white and red, colours of the Welsh Flag.”
The Princess of Wales wearing green is also a nod to her new role as Colonel of the Irish Guards.
The title was previously held by her husband Prince William, and Kate has already taken part in colonel duties this year, including commemorating the Irish Guards’ St Patrick’s Day parade.
Trooping the Colour commemorates King Charles’ official – but not actual – birthday.
The ceremonial event takes place every year and dates back to Charles II in the 17th century when regiment colours trooped in front of soldiers so they could recognise their unit in battle.
At the start of it, the monarch is greeted by a Royal salute and the National Anthem.
The parade then commences and concludes with a second Royal salute.
His Majesty and other members of the Royal Family gather on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past by the Royal Air Force.
This year Kate and Wills will join The King and Queen Camilla on the balcony as the planes roar overhead this afternoon.
It’s understood Harry and Meghan will not be attending.
The first recorded royal balcony appearance was made by Queen Victoria in 1851, during the opening celebrations of the Great Exhibition.
It has since become an established tradition and a rare opportunity to see the Royal Family together in one place.
The King traditionally has two birthdays, his actual birthday on November 14 and an official birthday marked every summer by the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
The “official” celebration takes place in June despite monarchs originally celebrating their birthday on the second Thursday in June, but the date was changed to the second Saturday in June in 1959.
The reason this odd tradition began is typically British: namely, the UK’s temperamental weather.
It was started by George II back in 1748 – because the weather was too bad to hold his Birthday Parade on the actual date in November.