How Kate Middleton beat the ‘mum hunch’ and the secrets behind her impeccable posture
WHILE Kate Middleton is always the picture of elegance and has impeccable posture during engagements – but that wasn’t always the case.
The royal parent-of-three used to have a “mum hunch” posture, according to experts, but she has managed to correct this over the years.
We recently saw the Princess of Wales dazzle as she hosted her Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey, which is airing on ITV on Christmas Eve.
During the festive event, Kate, 41, looked angelic in a sleek white ensemble and appeared regal and polished with how she presented herself.
Royal fans have been quick to comment on Kate’s poise – not just at the carol concert but with all her recent appearances.
One said: “Kate seriously has the most regal posture. Kate literally commands the entire room. So much poise and class.”
Another added: “Princess Kate has really fantastic posture.”
Kate’s old ‘mum hunch’
However, experts pointed out back in 2019 how Kate sometimes showcased “rounded shoulders, a stooped back and a tilted pelvis” – a stance that is very common among women who’ve had kids.
James Turgis, physiotherapist and director of Mummy’s Physio, explained that a “mum hunch” can develop during pregnancy.
He told Fabulous: “The more the baby grows, the more the gravity centre of the mother is going forward.
“To compensate, the mum will start to arch her lower back.”
“To keep her eyes on the horizon, she will roll her shoulders and will also use a different back muscle to adapt.
“When your body has adapted to that posture – which you’ve had for nine months during pregnancy – you tend to keep this posture for a while.”
With three adorable kids – Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, – and running around it was no wonder Kate appeared to have fallen victim.
Famous hunchers
And the royal mum isn’t the only parent to have developed it, with the likes of Katie Holmes, Angelina Jolie, Victoria Beckham and Tana Ramsay also displaying similar postures.
James also explained how carrying babies and toddlers, even after birth – can have an impact, too.
He said: “The fact that you’ve had a certain posture for nine months means some of your muscles will be weaker, so if you increase the use of certain muscles that aren’t yet strong enough by carrying a baby on your front or on your hip, or if you arch your back when feeding, you’ll maintain this posture.”
However, Kate seems to have beaten the hunch and now has a poker straight posture.
This could be down to her well-known love of exercise and staying active.
Kate’s “magic” fitness secrets
After giving birth to Prince George, Kate enlisted personal trainers to help get in shape, including ‘figure magician’ Louise Parker, according to the Mail.
Louise Parker Method encourages clients to see weight loss as a lifestyle change rather than a diet and favours Mediterranean ingredients.
Louise says in her book: “I loathe dieting. I’m actually on a mission to end it.”
Kate is said to exercise every day and used to be a member of the pricey £325-a-month Harbour Club in Chelsea, when she lived in London.
The club which was a favourite of Princess Diana‘s and also commands a £1,555 joining fee for adults, totalling £5,780 a year.
The mum-of-three likes to mix up her sports – favouring yoga and CrossFit, but also tennis and skiing with the family.
Speaking to Mike Tindall, Kate said on his podcast: “I really, genuinely love all sports. Personally, I love swimming wherever I can.
“Cold swimming – the colder, the better. I absolutely love it. Slightly to the point where William‘s [saying], ‘You’re crazy’ and it’s dark and it’s raining.
“I will go and seek out cold water. I love it.”
Good posture not only helps Kate to look polished, but could also keep her calm too with deep breathing.
David Wiener of health and wellbeing app Freeletics told Hello!: “Research shows that poor posture negatively affects your ability to breathe deeply and fill your lungs.
“Slouching shortens the muscles at the front of your body and reduces your ability to breathe in fully.”